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.
I've chosen the word ENERGY. Because I feel it is exactly what I lack to get anything finished. I start so many things, but the finishing often gets pushed aside. I need energy to finish it. This is anything, cleaning my house, knitting, quilting, exercising, eating right. It all requires a little more energy.
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We are kicking off the year with our bi annual vacation so I was thinking this year it would be fun to have my word 'explore'. I want to get out more with the kids take them places even if it is just local. Take pictures maybe explore a photography class or two.
Happy New Year!
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I haven't decided on my word this year. There are a few things I'm considering - what's most important for my family, my work and for me. I may even carry over my 2007 word "immersion" because I'm not sure I'm quite there yet.
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Each year I have looked forward to hearing your word Ali..and this is the first time I will pick one of my own. I choose...LOVE. Love others, love God, but mostly LOVE myself enough to love others and love God. This is the year. The year of LOVE.
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I think that I have settled on SELF-ASSURED as my word for 2009. I'm in the process of several changes in the upcoming year, including my oldest son heading off to college and a big career change that entails going back to school myself. I'd like to focus on being SELF-ASSURED in my choices and my life. To me the word SELF-ASSURED means believing, bold, brave, confident, courageous, expectant, fearless, positive, sure of oneself, and unafraid.
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Nurture is such a great word!
My word is thankfulness. There is so much negativity in the world and it is so easy to get bogged down with that. I want to focus on being thankful for everything; even little things.
"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
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Patience. I'm rolling into my second year of marriage, we are in the midst of moving, I just started a new job. Patience. While I wait for all the things I want.
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My word is TRUST! I need to trust in my husband more (he is always telling me this, maybe I will get it) and I need to really Trust in the Lord more. He always works things out and my stressing about things never helps, so maybe this year, I can learn to let go and Trust that everything will be ok.
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I am thinking about the word -possibility- for 2009. Have a Happy New Year!
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my word is listen. i think it's so important, especially for starting my career this year in therapy to listen to my clients, my family, my friends and myself. To really, really listen.
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Gently. I really want to live gently, respond to others gently, etc. in 2009.
Happy New Year!
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Hi Ali,
The vice I'm giving up is 'Self-Degradation'. My word for 2009 is 'Self-Discipline'. I turn 40 in just 3 weeks. 2009 is going to be about turning my SELF around. To be positive, to commit to improving my 'self' being, to accept compliments, and to build confidence in the person I am at 40 years old. To make good choices in 2009 about life, money, posessions and living more simple.
I know it will be tough to break bad habits, but, I've got the perserverance to do it!
Thanks for the Word of the Year idea!
Susie
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Focus ... that's it! I had thought my word(s) for 2009 would be "Family First" but I think what it all boils down to is "Focus". While "family first" goes without saying, sometimes work, activities and life in general get overwhelming and family priorities get put on the back burner. Not in 2009! FOCUSing on what IS important and trying not to get away from that is my goal. My babies are 2 & 4 and I need to soak in what is going on in their little lives more so! Hubs needs some extra attention as well!
Love your word ... very appropriate for what lies ahead!
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Acceptance, that is going to be my word for the year. I need to accept what I can not change and accept that I need to take responsibility for the things I can and want to change.
This will be a challenging on for me. Resistance has been such a big part of my life. Now it is time for it to go away.
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Love this annual tradition of yours. This will be my third year joining in and I think I'm going with "simplify". Hello 2009!
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My word is Remember. I have to take the time and energy to remember who I am and why I am so that I can be a better me. I thought of the word being Me, but I didn't like how selfish that sounds :-)
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Love the giveaway!
My word is SIMPLIFY. Our lives have gotten very hectic and I want to return to the basics: family, love, friends, being together. We're moving in a few days and this word will be my mantra as we unpack and settle in.
Amy in CA
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simplify = 2009; boy do I need to do this... I'll be de-cluttering, organizing, creating with this word in mind! Happy New Year!!
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GRATITUDE! I worked with a women's homeless shelter this year and realized that I have so much to be grateful for...a husband, kids who are healthy, a house, a job, etc. I think this will be my "forever" word.
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Hi there,
My word for 2009 is PERSEVERE. I have a wall plaque hanging in my office that says "Perseverance, the greater the obstacle the more glory in overcoming it", Moliere. I stare at it daily and it reminds me to keep going no matter how difficult things get. This year I hope to overcome a few obstacles in my life, simplify everything, stay focused on the few things in my life that are truly, honestly important and just "persevere".
On New Years Day I will be working on my "goal board" with the word "Persevere" right smack in the middle:)
Thank you for your wonderful blog, I love it. Many wishes for a safe, happy and healthy New Year to you and your family.
Lori
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My word is "challenge". I want to move beyond what is familiar and embark on an artistic adventure that challenges me to step out of my comfort zone and work with different types of media.
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My word for 2009: LEARN. I am going back to school after 20 years to finish a teaching degree in mathematics. I have ALOT to learn, so I can teach others, and they can learn.
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I think my word will be family. I want to focus more on my family, spending time with them, relationships, etc.
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After dealing with a breakup, and infertility struggles this year, I decided that my word for 2009 will be CONQUER..somehow it just seemed fitting for me!!!!
Trace G
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My word for 2009 is going to be cherish. Cherish each day, each opportunity, each lesson learned, each trial fought through, each happy moment. Cherish it all.
Thanks for a chance to win some fun giveaways!
Happy New Year!!
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