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.
07 word was DREAM... spending time figuring out what I really wanted and how to get there..
08 word was INTEGRATE... and I truly lived by this word..creating systems that worked and putting plans into action
09 word will be RECONNECT... trying to tie in both my dreams with my realities while continuing the wonderful systems I have in place and stretching out to meet my dreams and goals...
Happy New Year!!
Kim Faucher
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Hi Ali- Awesome as usual...
my word? ENDEAVOR - there are so many things I want to accomplish, not only this year, but it life in general. This word will serve as a reminder of my goals but also that I Can acheive them- one step at a time.
Thanks!!!
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JOURNEY.
I'm on a constant journey for a better existence, a better life, a better me.
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I can't actually believe it's that time of year again! Simplify was my word for 2008 and it definitely permeated throughout not only my life but our family life as well. For 2009 I am going for CREATE, whether it be art, layouts, knitting, order or merry hell! So looking forward to seeing how it weaves through the year. I wish you and your family a blessed 2009:)
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I am still thinking of my specific word...but I know the "theme" I want it to encompass.
I want it to be about living in the moment.
I want it to be about being fully dedicated to whatever I'm doing that moment.
I want it to mean that I take my time and FINISH whatever it is I am doing at that moment.
I'm just not sure how to sum all that up in one single word. :) But I'm working on it!
~denise
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I am still working on my word.. I have been thinking about "SIMPLIFY" - because i need to. "ENJOY" because I really do want to enjoy the next year, and not let everything slide by.
But in the forefront is "CHANGE" - because there is a lot that is going to be changing this year - work, home, family - some good, and some not so good - some because I want it, and some irregardless...
Love your choice of the word nurture - I think it is very appropriate.
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My word this year will be "sustain." My word will encompass all parts of my life, from being more ecologically minded in my purchases and how I use them to the support and love I give in my relationships.
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I haven't decided on my word yet, but it's either BALANCE or SIMPIFLY. Both are things my life is desperately in need of at this time. I plan to decide tonight at midnight and blog about it in the morning :)
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HI Ali! I don't have one word yet. Just a general sense of what I want to do next year. In 2008, I did organize my whole house and accomplished some of what I had wanted to do last January. This next year I want to continue the organization - maybe "discipline" is a good word for me. Be disciplined to continue things I learned and started in 2008. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement.
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My word is "live"...I had all these possible words in mind...passion, healthy, courageous, bold...so I decided I could get the most mileage out of my word if "live" were the overall theme and each month I tacked on an aspect of it.
So, for January, I am going to "live" + "healthy" and work to establish healthy habits. In February I intend to "live" + "passionately" (yes, my husband is looking forward to that - but I don't think he understands that I might also be painting a few walls in the house RED :))
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I'm thinking about HOPE. My husband and I have been trying to have a second child for 5 1/2 years, and this coming year is pretty much make-it-or-break-it for us. Hope is something I very much need in the face of dealing with infertility.
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My word just happened to be SERVE as well. I hope I win. Happy New Year.
Rebecca from Big Island
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My word is RELEASE as in "to set free".
To let go set my true self free, that is my goal for 2009!
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My word is discover. Discover new things about myslef, my family, my world. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Still thinking of my word. It's hard sometimes to narrow it down to just one!
Happy New Year!!
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My word for 2009 is NOW. Not tomorrow. Not next week. NOW!
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Hi Ali!
Last year you inspired me to try out having a word to guide me. Last year was Simplify. It really did give me a different perspective on the way I chose to live my life and continue to develop who I am and the roles I play.
This year I have chosen Be ... very simple and it just reminds me to be happy, be plugged in, be thankful, etc.
I am happy with my choice of word this year and I love this idea of a word.
Thanks!
StacyS. (Alberta, Canada)
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My 2009 word is STEP.
As in "the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
Happy New Year everyone!
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Ali,
My word for 2009 is CENTERED... It seemed very eastern philosophy for me but when I thought about it more it really encompassed my Christian belief system and all that I am trying to get a handle on for 2009. I love centered because there are boarder around centered and there is peace in that space. That space protects what is centered in the middle from being crowded and overcome.
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Thank you Ali for the inspiration. I have 4 words in the running for 2009 - CHARM, FLAIR, DELIGHT, and EXTRAVAGANCE. Here's hoping one chooses to speak most to me before the end of the day.
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My word for the year Ali is ENOUGH !! Just to know that I have enough in my life - not always looking for more ! But more importantly that I am Enough - as a mother, wife, sister, friend and social worker !!!
Have a wonderful year - love Joanne (Ireland)
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My word this year is Grow. Lots of things I was to learn and explore to make me a better person.
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My word is CHERISH. Cherish time with my husband and family. Cherish my time to myself. Cherish my friendships and family.
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My word is ENDLESS... We just got two puppies on Christmas eve and I am going to need endless energy to keep up with them. There is also the endless sense of responsibilities for these little guys and the endless love that they give. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
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wow Ali what incredibly giveaways!! My word for 2009 is change. It is going to be a fabulous year!
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