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 think Serenity is a beautifull and meaningfull word.
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My word for 2009 is Simplify. I find that too much clutter just detracts my focus from what is really important.
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I am still decciding on my word- it may be cherish or it may be simplify. I want to simplfy things in our lives so that we can work on more fully cherishing each other and our church family.
Rebecca
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I'm going with validation. We all get so busy and take each other for granted that it would be nice to feel validated in these tough times.
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I think this is a great idea, and it didn't take me long to come up with my word. My word is Patience. It seems the older I get, the less patience I have, especially at work.
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Well my word for 2007 was balance, for 2008 was remember and now for 2009 I have chosen SIMPLICITY...I need to simplify some many things in my life...here's to a great year :)
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Hi Ali
wow a lot of posts!
I hope that your bubby girl arrives safely :)
My word is BREATHE, as an asthmatic this is something I deal with on a daily basis, not just for my life but for me to remember to breathe when I get overwhelmed or angry.. Yeah I think breathe is definately it!
cheers and rock on 09 - tan from OZ
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My word is "BREATHE", and what a coincidence...it's the same word as the person who posted before me!!!! I actually had it tattooed on to my wrist this year as a constant reminder to me to just sit back, relax and take a deap breath :)
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goodness, so many comments, and so many wonderful words, i keep being tempted to change! but when I originally decided i would do this with you all this year, immediately HONEST came to mind.. i know it sounds a little harsh, ( i don't intend to run around telling everyone what i think of them!) more Honest to myself, and in what i do and why i do it. Honest in what i say to others.
(i suppose you could go with authentic, but i figure i should go with my gut instinct!!)
looking forward to 2009:)
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My word for this year, 2009, is Frugal,
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I'm still not 100% sure what my word will be. I do like your word though. I'm going to keep pondering for the day!
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Love your word Ali...just beautiful! My word for this year is SIMPLIFY. It has been calling to me so much recently in this crazy world of "too much of everything is not enough". I am truly beginning to believe that less is more and I want to embrace this and create a beautiful, less cluttered, less distracting environment for me and my family. Thank you once again for this inspiration. Wishing you, your family and everyone joining this challenge a healthy and happy 2009!
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My word for 2009 is YES. YES to life, YES to me, YES to all the old things I love and all the new things coming my way. YES, YES, YES!
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I think that mine will be "Relax". I tried to do to much to please everyone that most of the time I don't get any time to please myself by doing things for myself. And you know if momma aint happy!
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I think that mine will be "Relax". I tried to do to much to please everyone that most of the time I don't get any time to please myself by doing things for myself. And you know if momma aint happy!
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My word is DARE. Happy New Year
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Your word is great! The word that I keep coming back to in my head is "Do." As in do it now for the things I must do, but also as in do not over-do.
Thanks for all you "do" to share with us.
Sherry
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HI Ali, reading your blog has been so inspirational for me. I think my word for 2009 will be 'SIMPLIFY'. There are many areas in my life that I would like to simplify, and I feel that my thoughts will be clearer if I do simply simplify!
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My word for 2009 is: tenacious
–adjective 1. holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold (often fol. by of): a tenacious grip on my arm; tenacious of old habits.
2. highly retentive: a tenacious memory.
3. pertinacious, persistent, stubborn, or obstinate.
4. adhesive or sticky; viscous or glutinous.
5. holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough.
I start many project... but have a problem completing. But 2009 will be a year filled with completion.
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CHANGE
My word for this year is change. Last year so many thing happened in my life and because of them there is so much I need to change this year in my life. The main thing in my life this year is going to be change. Life is so much different this year with the passing of my father last year
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My 2009 word is CHERISH.
I want to cherish the time left I have being the mommy to one outgoing toddler, the time I have left with the new baby safely growing inside me, the time with my husband now that he is home from deployment, the time our little family has left in Germany before we move back stateside, and so much more.
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My word is "SHARE". I have three kids and there are so many things this word can pertain to in our daily lives; sharing with each other, sharng with those less fortunate, etc. But my MAIN decision to make this my word is that I need to start making more of myself for my kids. Be there more. Do more little stuff with them. Take time away from whatever to-do list I've got going for the day, and really SHARE myself with them. I love this word challange/idea Ali!
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My word for this year is simplify - my life, my things, my obligations everthing. Just enjoy life with my family.
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Happy New Year Ali :)
I have been thinking of my word for awhile and it came to me last night as we were counting down 2008 - my word is forgive -
I need to let go of lots of resentments that I have in relation to my daughter's death and I don't think I can fully heal my heart until I do - so FORGIVE is my word for 2009
Cheri
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Happy New Year to you and your family. My word for 2009 is LISTEN. I want to be still and listen, to my husband, to my children, to everybody that takes time to speak to me and to be still enough to listen when God speaks to me!
I want to really hear what people say ans especially what they don't say. I want to speak less, assume less and just listen before I say anything.
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