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 have been tossing around several words the last couple of days... the word that has been in my mind is FOCUS
I have felt that this last year life has spiraled out of control a bit... too many big changes that have made me feel overwhelmed... and then all the little things start to build up and I feel completely frazzled and frustrated... and try to handled too many things at one time.
This year even though I have many things that will require alot of attention... I want to focus on one thing at a time and focus on really handling them... not just doing a quick fix on things :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I have never "done" the word of the year before but this year I'm going for it. My word for 2009 is RELAX! I have spent most of my life being worried and frustrated over things that don't matter one little bit. This year I am going to relax and enjoy life without worrying it to death. I'm starting already. I don't care if the laundry gets done today...because I'm relaxed! HA!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Accomplish
(travel, hobbies, business, home projects,goals)
Blessings and Hugs from Germany!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Last year my word was determination. While I did accomplish some of my goals for 2008, I still came up short on some. I haven't thought about a word for this year. I will be doing some reflecting today. One of my goals for 2009 is to make more time to be creative which for the last few months has fallen to the waste side.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is Explore! The new year holds for me numerous changes and I'm going to embrace them wholeheartedly!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hi Ali!
Happy New year to you and your family
Thank you for your inspirational blog and for the "one word" idea. My word for 2009 will be Enjoy. Enjoy my classes, my friends, my family, my time, every little things and moment. Be in the present, forget the past and don't overthink the future.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is LOVE. By focusing on love, everything else will follow.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
JOY
That I would find Joy in the Journey!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is COURAGE. there are many things that I will have to face this year, tough decisions, starting over a new life. I think that COURAGE will help me through the hardest times.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
patience.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Happy New Year, Ali. My word for this wonderful year of '009 is LAND. I want to LAND myself a job and LAND on my feet!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
my word(s) is TAKE TIME!!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Oh my gosh, I just read the novel, Thursdays at Eight and the four characters did this! I have been trying to decide on my word for 2009 since I finished the book. I am torn between gratitude and simplify.
Happy New Year!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Happy New Year!! My word for the year is Believe. There is so much to believe in to change to hope and just believe that good can come! BELIEVE
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word this year is Enjoy...i just want to slow down and enjoy every moment hopefully making them last longer. At least in my memory anyways!
Happy New Year!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Home. My word is home. Since uprooting my life to move to Michigan to be with my lovely husband (who grew up here - I figured I must love him dearly to give up Washington state for him!) I have been struggling with making this home. I am slowly figuring it out and this year I would like for it to be. Learning what home means to me, what exactly it is, is my challenge.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I just happened upon your blog..what a wonderful concept... I want my word to be CONNECT... I want to focus on connecting more with dh an dds..I want to connect with faraway relatives and re-connect with my siblings!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Happy New Year Ali...
Last year I choose "gentle". I put it on my computor desktop and so I saw it everyday morning when I signed in...it was a good word for 2008.
This year I think I am choosing "action" as my word. I am mulling one or two different words and might change before the day is over. Blessings to you and your family,
Catherine A
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word this year is SIMPLE. I want to learn how to keep things SIMPLE - our life, our plans, my scrapbooking, our house. I try to do too much and always be the perfect overachieving Mom. With one small child and another on the way, I want to be able to teach them to appreciate the simple things in life. I find that I lose sight of that all too often.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is SERVE. 2008 was a year of immense blessings for me, and I want my time in 2009 to serve and bless others. I have plans to work as a camp counselor this summer on a "Teen Service Training" team at a Christian camp - to teach high schoolers the importance of service, but I know I will learn a lot as well. Thanks so much for sharing, Ali! Love your word!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
concentrate...so many things to concentrate on. To give my full attention to. Family, friends, home, life, work.
Happy New Year
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for the year is HOPE. 2008 was a really hard year for our family. I found myself toward the end of the year feeling quite pessimistic and down. I decided to start this new year full of hope. Here's to a better 2009.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word - patience......
Our baby is now 9 months old and I need to learn to have MORE patience with him.
I also need more patience at work with people and in life generally.....
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I am so blessed by your site. It's inspirational to me!
The words for this year 2009 for me and my husband are:
EXPLORE, PERSEVERE, EMBRACE.
Explore the depths of God, persevere when the times are hard, embrace the year with love.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My one little word this year is "organize". I am wrapping myself around that word this year knowing it will lead to better things in ny life, mostly more peace of mind & less worry!
Sign in or sign up to comment.