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.
Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family! My word for 2009 is COURAGE. Courage to be myself, courage to embrace change and courage to keep walking down the road of life.
xoxo
CS
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I had a word that was perfect. . . only it came to me while daydreaming and I can't remember what it was. I'm still searching for the perfect word for a year in which life will take at least one decided in one of two very different directions.
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I think my word for this year is pause. You know, pause before I ... speak, eat, spend, judge, yell, etc. I think this will help me on so many levels. Thanks for helping my journey.
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I have already been thinking about my word. This year it will be BELIEF. I have been struggling so much with having belief in myself that I can do the things I need to do in my life. With this word, I want to remind myself that I have been through a lot of things I didn't believe I would make it through, and to help me develop a stronger belief (faith) in God and people.
Thank you so much for all your inspiration.
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AWARE - since an illness a few years ago I've been in what feels like a holding pattern. I want to take the next year and be aware of my surroundings, and find ways to work toward my ultimate goal-working from home so I'm here when my boys get off their school bus.
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My word is FOCUS. On my family, on my health, on my finances, and my business. But I'll focus on one thing at a time and try not to multitask so much!
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Still contemplating my word ... but live might be it. As I age, I realize how short life is and how we don't take advantage of every moment and opportunity we have. It takes an effort to live, whether it is volunteering for something near and dear to us, planning something fun for ourselves to do, whatever it is that gets us off the couch and into our world of "living"
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My word for 2009 is "APPRECIATE." Stop and look at your world around you and appreciate what is right in front of you that you may have taken for granted or never noticed. Become aware and appreciate all that you have.
Thank you for the inspiration Ali!
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I have a few ideas. WILL (as in strength, determination and will power), but since i'm getting married LOVE also seems valid. Still pondering...
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PURPOSEFUL. At first I thought it might be BE but I kept coming back again and again to being purposeful about anything. One of my favorite quotes is from Beth Moore, "we will live lives of integrity on purpose or we will not do it at all." Being purposeful about just about anything is most often the make or break of it happening. Being purposeful about a healthy lifestyle, for instance. It isn't going to happen if I'm not purposeful. So that's my word for 2009. PURPOSEFUL.
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For the past month or so I have used the word HOPE a lot, when e-mailing or writing letters. It's a word that keeps coming to mind so it's going to be my word for 2009. I HOPE for love, peace, patience and many other things in this new year.
Happy New Year to you Ali and all your family. I HOPE it's a good one.
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My word is going to be TIME. Time with my family, Time for myself, Time to reflect, Time to look forward, Time to be.
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my word is a phrase--inspired by a print i bought from the lovely kelly rae roberts just before christmas: hold onto LOVE.
if i'm holding onto love, then i'm hoping it will be easier to let go of some other things...
much LOVE to you Ali, as your family grows and changes in '09!
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My word is EMBRACE. I want to be ready for whatever life brings me in 2009, and make the most of it! Your blog really inspires me to savor each and every day, moment by moment, and I appreciate your cheers, Ali.
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My word for 2009 is able.
I am coming thro a difficult time for myself and looking forward to a fresh new year where I know I am ABLE to get on and enjoy life. Its a bit like that old saying 'never say never'. Its all I have to do, remind myself each and everyone one of us are
*able*
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My word this year will be "Opportunity". Just before Thanksgiving, my position was eliminated after 13 years with the same company. I think this is my opportunity to refocus and look at this as an "Opportunity" to:
*Spend time with my daughters and be a "stay at home mom" for a little while.
*Think about what I would LOVE to do as a career and seek out training, etc. to help me get there.
The list goes on and on, but I need to look forward at my "Opportunities" and not look back!
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My word is going to be time. I want to focus on prioritizing it and spending it in ways that count -- for me, for my family, for my church and my savior. Not on work or doing frivilous things that don't count in the long run.
Thanks for making me "think" today!
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CHERISH.....
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Hi Ali! My word for 2008 was "courage" and my breath caught when I saw that first necklace! I have to admit that I did "okay" in 2008. I needed courage and I guess I had it...but I think could have done more with it. I am still pondering a word for 2009...maybe I still need more courage....hugs to you.
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my word for 2009 is cherish
1 a: to hold dear : feel or show affection for
b: to keep or cultivate with care and affection : nurture
2: to entertain or harbor in the mind deeply and resolutely
synonyms see appreciate
Happy New Year!!
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I may need more than one word this year, lol! At least one of those words needs to be "trust." I need to practice trusting that I have gifts to offer, trusting that others care about me, trusting that all will be well in the future, trusting that God has my back!
TRUST
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My word for 2009 is LIVE. We have had a year marked with both loss and wonderful times. I want to remember next year to live each day to the fullest. We are also welcoming our second child in about a month from now and I thought this word was appropriate for this new life coming. Thank you for a wonderfully inspiring blog. I read everyday and are truly amazing by your talent not only for scrapbooking but for telling the story of your life. Have a wonderful new year!
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There are a couple of words that I'm toying with.....live and hope. I want to live more in each day instead of worrying and doing all the time. And I have hope for a much happier and less stressful year in 2009.
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Happy new year! Here in Melbourne it is already 2009 :). My word for this year is LEARN. I want to learn new things and hopefully even go back to school. eeek!
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MATERIAL- My committment to my 2008 simple word FOCUS has been so life altering. I like the idea of a word that has multiple meanings, that I can intertwine with every day life, that will educate and innervate me. Material is an accounting term - does it really matter? This is a good question to keep asking myself as I roll through 2009.
This has been a fantastic experience.
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