One Little Word 2009 & Giveaways

My word for this year is going to be CALM. I've had some issues with anxiety and depression over the last several months and I'm finally getting back on track. 2009 is going to be a great year! This word will help me to focus on what's important and to let the other stuff go.

my word for 2008 is simplify. i'm also expecting a baby in 2009 and really want to get rid of the extra "junk" (stuff, obligations, expectations) in our lives so we can focus on our baby and the changes that means for our marriage and family.

I've followed your blog for a while but never joined in this. With so much going on in my life, starting a new crafting business, dealing with life, etc. I think my word this year is balance. Good luck with new baby and Happy New Year!!

I love the "one word". 2006 my word was give and last year my word was live. I am so exhausted from all the living I did last year! I am trying to decide on a word. I want more peace in my life. more calm and to just relax about things. I also want the strength to say "no" to people who make me feel like I can't. I need to change the way I do things in order to be more clear of my intent. I need to alter my lifestyle to work with my new health path. this will require adjusting recipes and standing my ground when people question my beliefs. a few words I am playing around with are:
evolve/transform/change
power/courage/strength
calm/peace/breathe
it is quite a toss up between being strong and being calm. like two complete opposites!
anyway had fun with last year's word. I had it everywhere and it reminded me to "live" happy new year! ciao!

simplify. I've been thinking about what my word will be for 2009 this entire month. I kept a list, but I always found myself going back to "simplify" (apparently I couldn't even keep the list simple!). Therefore, I'm pledging to go into the new year with a focus on that which matters, clearing out the clutter of my home and my mind, and being intentional in relationships with friends and family. It's all about a few things that mean the world instead of a world full of things that mean very little. I started by taking down the Christmas decorations last night and making the house clean and less cluttered. Simplify.

My word this year is "release" :)

I have a couple so far and can not decide on one yet. Refocus comes to mind because there are so many things I need to refocus on like my photography. Embrace, engage and soar are a couple that jump out as I try to take my creativity to the next level. Having my word around my neck would be wonderful. Great give aways!! Thanks! Dawn H

My word for the year is GRACE. Thanks for the wonderful blog---I enjoy reading about your family, your life, and your work.

Happy New Year Ali! I have not done this before but I think I am choosing Faith. In every sense of the word! I am having trouble finding in Faith in everything lately! I really need a daily reminder that nothing is all that bad!

I am not sure I can just pick one word... but I am thinking about
patience
endurance
loving
thoughtful
gracious...
just to name a few

The first word to pop into my head was ENRICHMENT. I have 5 children 5 and under and our days can be pretty hectic. This year I want to focus on enriching our family atmosphere. I want to have a home of love and learning. A place of safety and rest. I want to learn more about how to provide stimulating activities for my children. I also want to make sure to enrich the time spend with my sweet husband - to make time to BE together.

Good morning from Iowa!
my one little word is APPRECIATE! last year's was focus & it helped ... thinking this year's could do a world of good too!!
thanks so much Ali for sharing not only your scrapping but your life w/us!!

Still thinking on this- 2007 was improve, 2008 was less. Next year I have to concentrate on paying down debt, getting a better job, being financially ready for my husband's military retirement, etc. My husband's word for 2009 is PREPARE. Haven't committed to one here. I will have it by tomorrow.

I wish I had time to look through the others. I will before the giveaway is over. I love to see what other readers have written. My word is Achieve. I've got unfinished work assignments, projects, and hopes that I must accomplish this next year. Thank you for this giveaway and the reason for thinking about our own word of the year. Its good to pause and give it consideration.

My word for 2009 is...Achieve!
I am embarking on a Photography Business and I hope to ACHIEVE my dream of running a successful Photo Business.

My word for 2009 is INSPIRE. I am an art teacher and I was recently frustrated with a student who called her own work 'stupid' because she didn't like the project we were working on. I told her, "I am here to inspire you".
She said, "You do inspire me Mrs. Mitchell."
I think she was just saying it because she could tell that she had hurt my feelings with her attitude about the project.
It is my goal this year to live a life that will inspire others. I want to inspire my students, friends and family members to follow their creative ambitions and do things that make them happy. I hope that I can do this through my blog and my scrap books, but also in my classroom.

i'm still mulling it over, but i'm leaning towards some word having to do with being mindful...to those around me, to my actions, to the environment. thanks, ali! hope you have a great new year!

My word for 2009 is "renew".
There are new things that I will love to try this new year, but also reinvent or renew old things that I have left behind and or have skip or taken for granted.

Wow...lots of great words out there already...like many others I'm going with FOCUS....FOCUS on what really matters. FOCUS on what really counts. FOCUS on what I can do to make a positive difference with my family, friends, myself and my community.
Happy New Year! Thanks for all your great ideas and inspiration!
~ Kathy (Hillsboro, OR)

My word for 2009 is Flourish!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
bless(ed) |bles|-verb [ trans. ]--to confer or invoke divine favor upon; ask God to look favorably on
Let us enter this New Year reflecting on all our many blessings from 2008 and the ones to come!

Hi Ali and Happy New Year.
CONFIDENCE -the quality of being certain of your abilities or of having trust in people, plans, or the future.
I have been thinking of this over the past few weeks and when I look at myself, my family and the people around me, I feel strongly in this word and the need for many of us to have more of it in our life. I will definitely be thinking of this word each day.
I also felt this definition best described how the word "confidence" feels to me right now. I am looking to go back to school this year, working everyday with my children to meet their needs, and doing my best to bring peace in to our home.
Jenn N

I've been trying to narrow this decision down for a week or so and the list has narrowed to 4. I've been praying for which word is the most beneficial. Last year's word was BELIEVE and it was so right on. I love that word! Now I am trying to decide between BALANCE, HARMONY, RESTORE, and SERENITY. Then one evening while praying about which word, it came to me that if I put them in alphabetical order, all four words work perfectally. Balance and Harmony Restore Serenity. Maybe I'm not just supposed to have one word, maybe I'm supposed to start working to restore balance in my life which will lead me to a more harmonious life which will restore me and bring serenity.
Thanks again for a great year and the prizes are a wonderful addition to the one little word idea.
Peace.

My word is JOY
Simple, three little letters I need to keep in my mind every moment of every day.
No pressure, no stress, just JOY.
JOY is what I seek in 2009. I pray I find it.

I think I will go with "patience" this year. Tough to choose just one word, but with a 9 year old boy in the house, I have to repeat this word to myself daily. Maybe he will learn to be more patient also.