One Little Word 2009 & Giveaways
I am so excited to embark on a new word for 2009.
My word is nurture.
For me, especially with a new baby on the way within the next month or so, I have been thinking a lot about nurturing. It's such a soft, slow, gentle word.
There are many things in my life I would like to focus on nurturing this coming year. Our new baby girl. Simon and the transition to big brotherhood. My relationship with Chris. Photography. Patience. My business & this blog.
I am also going to be conscious of nurturing myself during this time of major transition in our lives.
There is something very special about this word for me. It represents slowing down, simplifying, and pinpointing what is really important to me in my life (not just the next 365 days). I am nervous and excited and so looking forward to what is to come.
The idea behind the one little word concept is to give yourself something to focus on throughout the year. As I stated in my newsletter back in January 2007, "A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow."
Also from that same newsletter:
Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want
for yourself in 2009?
It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a
thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or
plural. The key is to find something that has personal
meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your
spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR
word.
One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow
yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing
that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into
your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now.
Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often
found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways.
Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready
for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.
I can't wait to see all the words for 2009.
To celebrate the new year I have three very special giveaways - all directly related to this project. Two beautiful pieces of jewelry and one piece of art to celebrate your word.
Lisa Leonard Designs
Giveaway: One custom Word of the Year Necklace
Special for AE readers: 20% off Word of the Year necklaces with the code "myword" at checkout
Meet Lisa | Shop Lisa
Liz Lamoreux Soul Mantra Pendants
Giveaway : One custom Soul Mantra Pendant any size or design
Special for AE readers : 20% off Soul Mantra necklaces throughout January. Enter code "one word 2009" in the notes to seller and the discount will be refunded to you through Paypal.
Meet Liz | Shop Liz
Stephanie from Homegrown Hospitality
Giveaway: One 4x6 black or white frame with hand drawn doodle in color pallet of your choice. The doodle can include "The Word" or "A Name" and a favorite quote, verse or scripture.
Special for AE readers: Stephanie is donating $5 from the sale of each doodle to Autism Speaks.
Meet & Shop Stephanie
To be entered into the drawing today please leave a comment with your word for 2009. It's totally fine if you are still thinking about it - if that's the case just leave a comment with some of your intentions for this new year. Comments will be closed on Thursday, January 1st at noon Pacific with the winners posted shortly after.
A safe and Happy New Year to each and every one of you.
My word is balance:
play vs work;
save vs spend;
need vs want;
balanced diet, balanced rest, balanced family time.
I'm so looking forward to journaling my progress.
Thank you again for inspiring me.
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PEACE.
Peace for me. For our world. For my life.
Thanks,
Megan
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"good enough". I know...it's 2 words, but that is what I'm working on...not being such a perfectionist. :)
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I think my word for 2009 should be "hope". I'm still thinking about it...but that's probably what it'll be. I hope to be a better wife, mother, friend, sibling, child. I hope to conceive another child. I hope to finish more LO's. I hope to learn more about myself, photography, art, love...etc. I hope this world can be a better place, and I hope to do my part. Thanks for this prompt Ali! Happy New Year!
Melissa
OKC, OK :)
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After a lot of thought I decided to "word-lift". My first inclination was to choose kindness...but that mostly comes naturally to me...so when I read vitality it really hit home. There are so many areas of my life that it can affect. First it give a positive start to a healthier me, but in addition it crosses over to my work and daily life. I am excited, and appreciate the inspiration. Happy New Year!
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Lots of ideas rolling around in my head and heart...trying to decide between: DARE, INTENTION and TODAY.
Best wishes to you and your family as you await your precious girl!! Happy 2009!
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PERSUE.
This is the first year I've participated in this "word" challenge and I'm so excited.
For much of my life I have wanted to do so many things but I've held back. I recently packed up my life and traveled and volunteered on organic farms in Spain. Pretty much everybody (except my mom... LOVE HER!!) thought it was a foolish idea. But, I wanted to persue something new. Something fun. Something uniquely me. And, the experience was what I had been searching for and has led me to the word PERSUE.
I didn't hold back. I persued an opportunity. I took a chance.
I've often held myself back due to doubting voices in my head. Held myself back due to a fear of not reaching perfection. Held back due to what other peoples reactions might be. But, not anymore.
This year I'm going to practice and actively PERSUE all the opportunities that come my way and even more importantly, I'm going to seek out opportunities. Specifically to FINALLY start my own business.
I can't wait to take this "word 2009" journey with you and the fellow participants.
Thanks, Ali!
Kelly
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My word for 2009 is: PERSEVERE
1. Refuse to stop
2. Continuing in a course of action without regard to discouragement, opposition or previous failure; persistent determination to adhere to a plan
I want to persevere in health and life challenges this year.
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My word for 2009 is easy-going. I'm pregnant with my first child (due at the end of July) and in order to prepare for that and be the best new mother I can be I would like to open my life up to being more easy going. I don't think it will be easy but I'm excited to try it.
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Believe is my word for 2009 - believe in God more, believe in myself, believe He has a plan for me and that it is good. All things are possible to those who BELIEVE.
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Hi Ali ~ Thanks for the opportunity to share our words for 2009. I know that 2009 will be a time of transition for me, and I keep coming back to the word DIGNITY. I will have to make some tough decisions and want to get through them honoring the dignity of others, as well as maintaining my own! All the best to you in 2009 as you nurture your blessed family. :o)
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i am gonna say CHANGE, means so many thing to me. change my thought process, embrace what changes this year for us, hopefully a move closer to family! :O)
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Happy New Year, Ali :) My word for the coming year is HEAL. My hope is that as the year goes by, I will be able to work through, grow and learn from much past pain, hurt, and disappointment. Wishing you many blessings as you and your family get ready to welcome your daughter.
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I haven't really decided on a word for this year. I know this is going to be a really exciting year for our family, we are expecting our first baby in june. So I know there are a lot of changes headed our way!
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Hi Ali... Happy New Year to you... I love your word for this year... perfect.
My word for 2009 is LOVE. May seem cliche perhaps... but when thinking about my word for this year LOVE keeps coming up... LOVE others more than myself. Put others first. Scripture 1 Cor 13 says it all really... not just saying it but living LOVE.
Thank you!
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GROW
Watch and live in the growth of my son
Grow as a wife
Grow as a teacher
Grow as a person-marathon by OCTOBER!!!
Grow some muscles for said race
Grow as a photographer and scrapper
Grow as a Christian
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S-I-M-P-L-I-F-Y! - Simplify my life to make room for important things.
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I still have a few in the running too, but the top of my list right now is "achieve" as there are a couple of things I really want to stop talking about in 2009 and just do!
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Hi Ali, my word for 2009 would be 'change'. Pretty common, I know. But I really would like to change a lot around me and in myself. Hope it'll work.
Happy new year!
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STILLNESS
"stillness is where all Creation began"
stillness is the state or instance of being quiet or calm
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What a lovely giveaway. My word is BELIEVE. In 2009 I am embracing the vegetarian lifestyle. I chose the word believe because I know that I can do it, I just have to believe in myself. Plus I just watched Kung Fu Panda and loved the message! :)
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Hi Ali,
My word for 2009 is: GRACE.
As in: 2Cor 8:(1-15)
- in brief "So here's what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart's been in the right place all along. You've got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can't. The heart regulates the hands. This isn't so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you're shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even. As it is written,Nothing left over to the one with the most,Nothing lacking to the one with the least."
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Just thought of another...SHINE!
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I'm not sure about my word for the year. But my intention is to get healthier this year.
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What a great way to start preparing for the new year. I don't "do" resolutions, so this is as close as I'll get...
My past year has been crazy with travel for work (over half the year I was away again), being overwhelmed with things at home that get out of hand and just not being able to enjoy my life with my husband as much as I wanted.
My word is going to be breathe. This will remind me to enjoy just being here, enjoy the garden that I'll plant (postponed from 2008), to relax during the building of our new home and selling our current home, to enjoy the travel opportunities that we are making for ourselves and to not have my life dictated to me by work and others' expectations of me.
Breathe.
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