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 for this year is Hope. Hope that my husband and I will find jobs, hope that my 15 year old son soon to be 16 keeps making the right choices, hope that my daughter continues to be the best she can. Hope that our families stay happy and healthy.
I love your word and so excited about the birth of that little girl, can't wait to see how it changes Simon.
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Thanks for sharing and encouraging us to participate in this thoughtful exercise. I really enjoy reading what others have chosen.
This year I choose Accomplish.
To carry out or complete something successfully,
To complete, as time or distance.
To succeed in doing; bring to pass.
To reach the end of; complete.
I realized this year that I am not a follow-through type person. I have lots of inspiration and ideas, but, most don’t get off the ground.
Blessings in 2009
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I haven't 100% decided yet, but I keep coming back to the word LESS for 2009. It sums up so many of my goals, which really are to simplify and focus on life close to home... to own less, to spend less, to eat less. I hesitate a little because it sounds a little cold, a little too deprivational, but as I meditate on it I feel the positive of the word much more than the negative.
I have a good feeling about 2009. I hope it is wonderful for you and your family and for all of us!
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Hi Ali,
My word for 2009 is PATIENCE. We can all use a little more of it, and I will try my hardest with my 3 boys. :-)
Happy New Year,
Gayle
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My word is serendipity this year. I tend to look for the worst instead of the best, so I'm hoping that I can change a little bit this year and recognize the blessings around me. I know there is a lot of good in my life already, this year I will recognize it.
Sharon
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my word for 2009 is *sparkle*
sparkle: reflect brightly, glitter
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{F O C U S}
Last year my word was strengthen. I wanted to strengthen my belief of my own abilities, my faith and to also strenghten physically. I feel I did fairly well this year living up to my word.
This year I chose F O C U S. I want to "focus" on the things that truly matter. "Focus" on my family. "Focus" on the moment.
Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family!!!
~~Nik
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I always have to think very long hard hard about my word. I love that just the act of choosing a word makes you analyze your life and it's direction. I think my word this year will be EMBRACE. I need to learn to embrace the everyday stuff. Your "Week in my Life" project helped with this but I want to continue embracing the small things throughout the year.
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My word for the year is serve.
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My word is accept. I need to accept my life as it is now.
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Last year my word was SIMPLIFY...which I was kind of hit or miss with. This year I want my word to be RELEASE. Meaning...there's so little I have control over and yet worry myself to death with. I want to be RELEASE what I cannot control...RELEASE my heart's biggest dreams to the Giver of all good things...RELEASE what is holding me back. Me holding onto things doesn't always work.
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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 for 2009 will be FOCUS. Several areas I intend to focus my energy on and I am truly looking forward to a great year.
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Mine is contentment.
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PEACE. I stress a lot and I have got to find a way to let go and just let it be, if you know what I mean...
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I love your word, nurture! So much possibility, so soft, so perfect!
My word is simplify; to calm my life, heart, and brain (which seem to be overfull!) so that I can see my path (spiritual) more clearly.
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My word is going to be SIMPLIFY. I want to simplify my life. I'm too busy,too unorganized, and too cluttered with stuff. I want to slow down, get rid of a lot of stuff, and organize what I do keep. I want to create more time for the important things in my life.
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Ali,
Thank you so much for your blog. It is so inspiring to see your beautiful photography and scrapbooking every day.
My word for 2009 is SIMPLIFY. I've had this word rattling around in my head for the last few months, before I'd even heard of choosing "One Little Word". I need to simplify my life, get rid of some clutter, and cut out some non-necessities in my life. Hope you have a happy and prosperous New Year!
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I love the word nurture Ali... it sounds perfect for where you are right now.
My word for this year is OBSERVE. I thought of a lot of words before settling on this one. As a law student, I thought about "attempt" or "endure", but "observe" is better for me because I want to really pay attention to what is going on around me. I want to learn from watching others.
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My word for 2009 is "enrich". I want to enrich my life by spending more time with my family. I want to enrich my photography skills by taking workshops and learning what I can. I want to enrich my children's lives by doing everything I can to make them successful in school.
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the 2009 for me and my family...well mainly me, i have hopes and dreams for this year. more patience, a dream job (yet to be found) and more communication and organize, what word can sum up all that?
hmmmm, i like 'STRIVE'
happy new years to the edwards family and happy days to come with your new bundle of joy. girls are a complete different little creature! enjoy
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Haven't quite decided between LEARN and PATIENCE. Maybe I'll have a 2009 phrase... LEARN PATIENCE.
:)
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Hi...I think this is a great idea...My word for 2009 is EMBRACE (Life happens, and I need to learn to embrace it, both the good and the bad!!)
Thanks!
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Last year I choose accountable as my word...and I think I held true to being accountable for my actions, understanding myself a bit better. This year I choose "progress." Our lives are always so full of change that I need to figure a way to move through those changes smoother. 2009 has some big changes for us and I want to progress through them with strength and grace.
Thank you for your continued inspiration and dedication.
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My 2009 word is going to be prepare. With another baby on the way in the spring, uncertain times and a home full of people I feel that PREPARE will help me organize the chaos in all areas. I am excited to start fresh in 2009
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