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 this year is DO. I am a planner, a dreamer, which means I have a lot of ideas. My problem is the execution of said ideas. So, this year I am going to DO! Get out of my head and into the action. I am excited.
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Simplify. In the new year I hope to simplify and streamline my daily life as we prepare for the arrival of our first born. I hope that doing so will allow me more time to enjoy the baby while juggling work.
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My word is "life". Our first baby is due in June and we couldn't be more excited. Happy New Year!
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I had a hard time keeping my big mouth shut this past year. While watching TV one evening I muted a very loud comercial. That's how my word came to me. MUTE. Not sure I would put that on a necklace. Maybe "quiet" would be better. But muteing myself sums up what I'd like to have happen for me. To be muted and quiet to a big degree and be more attentive to others words and thoughts (and my own) M U T E
Lynn in ND
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I love this concept and the power behind it. This coming year I don't have a "word" but instead a "phrase" which has already empowered me and left me feeling energized and excited.
My phrase is: "This is my year." I even got excited enough to put together a layout about it yesterday which I plan on displaying in my scrapbook room all year to keep me focused (you can click on the link to see it).
http://beckyscreativespace.blogspot.com/2008/12/this-is-my-year.html
Thanks for the constant inspiration! I love your word as well...
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My word for this year is "BALANCE." I need to balance life. Working or thinking about working 24/7 is not healthy. I have a life and it involves three busy boys, a husband, and me!! If I don't balance me....the rest of my family won't get the fun me that I can be!!
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My word is "heart". If I think and act with my heart, then I know my life will be more meaningful and so will the others who surround me.
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involve
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I'm going to start the year 2009 with "pause".
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Simplify simplify simplify. Enough said?
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I thought about using the word "no"... but I'm leaning towards "focus". Focus on my goals (the "future", not the "now"). moving in the direction of my goals. focusing on me and my family. not doing absolutely everything. focusing on the important stuff.
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My word is "PRAY." Prayer is so important, yet I find myself "too busy" or "too tired" to make time for it. I really desire to live a life bathing those around me in prayer. Thanks, Ali, for your blog and for your inspiration.
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i can't decide between EMBRACE or FAITH.
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Hello... I love your word... especially with a baby on the way... so sweet and special... my word for 2009 is Independence... my goal, my wish, my desire..
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My word for 2009 is {LISTEN}. I want to pay attention, be more aware, improve my focus this year so I can be a better mother, wife, daughter, employee, photographer, person.
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My word for 2009 is Grace. It is a word I chose to as my creative edge word when reading the book Style Statement (my full style statement is Traditional Grace). Rather than the dictionary definition, I love how the book defines Grace - here is an overview:
Graceful is poised and dignified and, at her best, is a giving, generous spirit who seeks to impart kindness and dignity. Love is her fuel; goodwill is her motivation and guide. Graceful prefers meaning and substance but will practice courtesy and compassion rather than forcing her views about a situation. Graceful has a sense of fit and propriety, a craving for balance and good form and proportion. She adores harmony and material and immaterial luxury—from finery to leisure. Rooted in feminine power, Graceful has a quiet and steady confidence. She endeavors to make everything special in the most considerate and ultimately charming ways, and she tends to make it all look effortless.
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Hello Ali:
Thank you for sharing this GREAT idea! My word for 2009 is RESPECT.
"Respect is esteem for, or a sense of the worth or excellence of, a person, a personal quality, ability, or a manifestation of a personal quality or ability."
This is not what I thought I would choose, but while having dinner and doing dishes the other night it popped in my head and won't leave.
I hope you and your family have a very
HAPPY (INSPIRATIONAL) NEW YEAR!
Lisa
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My word for 2009 is TIME. I'm so excited and I want to thank you for inspiring so many of us to do this! Lately I've been thinking a lot about time and how it is soooo precious. What we choose to spend our "time" on during any given moment, day, month, or year. Sometimes I spend too much time on others, and I need to focus on me. Time is irreplaceable, and once lost - it is gone. In 2009 I hope to use it to the best of my ability - spend the time in meaningful ways, spend quality time with those important to me....including myself!
Happy New Year!
Carrie
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This is my 3 Word of the Year. I was so inspired by you in 2006. My word for that year was INTENT. I created a mini album for that and love looking through it and seeing how far I've come. Last year my word was BALANCE. I had so much going on in my life that I craved it. I think I've done a good job of incorporating that into my life this year.
As I look ahead to 2009 I have done quite a bit of serious thinking on my Word. I have found just having that one word helps me stay on track for the new year. I have gone back and forth between 2 words but I think I have decided on
POTENTIAL
I know I have so much POTENTIAL inside of me to become all that I dream of. I have decided to devote the first 5 months of the year to a serious weight loss and fitness routine. I mean serious. I've given up some of my responsibilities so I can focus on this aspect of my life. So, yes POTENTIAL is my word for 2009!
Ali, you continue to inspire and amaze me with your creativity and your family life. May God Bless your new baby Girl!!!
Love,
Les
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I think my word is going to be TIME. I want to use my time more wisely, make more time for reading, especially devotional reading, on a daily basis. I want to spend more quality time with my family and less time on work.
Thanks for all you do!
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PATIENCE-Something I have struggled with in years past. 2009 will be my year to show patience towards my loved ones.
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Valor
: strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness : personal bravery
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What lovely giveaways. Well, I have been thinking about this for s few days now, but I have decided my word this year is Let. To 'let' things be... to 'let' go... to 'let' God. Happy New Year Ali!
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My word will be either nurture or growth... we too are adding a new baby this april to our family, my son was born back in 2002 so this is a big change for us.
I also want to nurture and grow my photography business while I am home for the next year. Big changes for us as we are also moving home again which I am hoping to be able to grow as a person from.
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My word is going to be Renew. This last year has been one of great struggle and transformation for me, I want 2009 to be a year of growing and reshaping my life to be what I always dreamed.
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