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.
2008 word was Balance
2009 word is TODAY...
We plan so much for every other day, and for the future, I want to live in the today, laugh, & enjoy it ....like there is NO tomorrow.
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I think my word this year will be "ZEN". Last year my word was focus, and I feel like I could still use more focus, but maybe in a more gentle way...
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I think my word this year will be "ZEN". Last year my word was focus, and I feel like I could still use more focus, but maybe in a more gentle way...
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My word for last year was FOCUS and I think my word for this year will be MINDFUL. I'm determined to be a better human being than human doing! Karen
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My word is "relax". Relax about the things I worry about all the time. Take my life less serious. Relax about all the items on my to do list. Relax and slow down. Life for everyday.
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I have several words--Plan and Simplify are biggies, but the central word for me for 2009 is PATIENCE. (Patience with everyone, including myself.) Happy New Year!
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So good to read your blog first thing this morning, in the quiet reflectiveness of the new year. I'm teetering between two words: GRACE & SERENITY. I've entered a stage of my life when things have slowed down as far as responsibility & commitments, giving me more time to pursue my own needs & interests. But some health issues are creating anxiety, ironically, & I find myself unable to accept "stuff" with grace & serenity. I find myself reacting to stress with my old flight or fight knee-jerk. I want to instead be a person who is calm, centered, full of grace. Maybe both words? Thank you, Ali, as always, for helping me focus & home in. I'm praying for you, the new baby & your family. Also for our country & the world in these times of turmoil. Wish I had time to read all these comments!
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Hi Ali!
I have chosen 2 words for 2009. The first is completion. I need to finish things that I start this year and give myself a sense of completion and satisfaction. My second, and equally important word is balance. I am seeking balance between my home life, my work life (teaching), and my scrapbooking life. Happy New Year!
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Haven't had a chance to read all the comments; however, my word is free. It's not the get a deal free. It's the spirit within me that will be at peace when I follow my inner self as it speaks to me. It's also a letting go of the daily irksomes that creep into ones life and rising above it.
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Acceptance....I have many changes coming in 2009 and I have to be willing to accept them. Happy New Year and may yours be the best ever Ali!
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My word for 2009 is "HOME". As a busy mom, wife, and professor, I often find myself involved in lots of "stuff" at school, and with the kids' activities, and with volunteer opportunities, but this year, I want to be extra-intentional about nurturing our home life and family. Happy 2009!
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My word is SIMPLIFY...for me this means less stressing about unimportant things, more abundance, focus on what is important, my home, family, art. It means I want to streamline my life and eliminate the things that don't make me happy and that are unnecessarily complicating my happiness. SIMPLIFY!
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My word is: VISION
I want to create vision, see vision, understnad vision--what that vision is I do not know, but I plan to find out!
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Love the idéa with a word for the year. Never tried it before and after reading a bunch of your comments here I find out that the word "Believe" fits me very well for 2009.
Believe in there is new good things around the corner everywhere.
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My word for 2009 is positivity..I've had such a bad year with lots of tough things happening so I need something good in my life, therefore this word.
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I want my word to be "diligent." I want to grow in being more disciplined spending time praying and studying God's word and serving others selflessly.
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I have been comtemplating this for a few weeks and can not find a focus on one word, there are a few that keep cropping up, so far not one has stood up; opporunity, faith, explore, to name a few. However, as I am typing and thinking mine will be a phrase. I am going to use the old Nike commercial; Just do It. Stop letting fear get in the way, Just Do It. When I get an Idea, Just Do It. Stop getting all caught up in the head, Just Do It. Stop Over Thinking. Yep that is it, Just Do It.
Thank you Ali.
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Hi Ali!
Happy New Year to you and your family! Thank you for your inspiration and generosity :) My word for 2008 was "Enjoy", and my word for 2009 will be "Achieve".
Cheers to you!
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My word for 2009 is "reduce". I need to reduce my dress size, my house clutter, and my stress level. If I can accomplish a year of "reducing", my word for 2010 can be "enjoy"!
Sue in Alexandria VA
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After reading what others have chosen as their word, several stand out for me, both Focus and simplify. I have in my list of goals to de clutter my house, yet I want to focus on the everyday also. And after reading Deb's comment above about the letters in FOCUS each having their own meaning really hit home.
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I havent decided for sure what my word will be but I'm thinking of GRACE. I also reallly like your pick of NURTURE. My husband is coming home soon from another long Aghanistan Deployment. I think our relationship, our children, our family needs a lot of special nurturing in this coiming year.
Happy New Year!
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I'm leaning towards "freedom". Thanks for the inspiration.
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I would like to remember throughout 2009 to RELAX. I'm getting married in September and instead of the planning being fun and exciting, I am stressing over every silly detail. I need to remember to relax and not put the weight of the world on my shoulders.
Happy New Year everyone!
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Hi Ali! My word for 2009 is "blessed". I feel blessed to have all the things in my life that I do - family, friends, and loved ones. This year I would like to focus on the fact that I am blessed and to appreciate and acknowledge those around me that make me feel this way :)
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My word is BREATHE. I lately find myself too quick to react to things lately and usually not in a positive manner. Moments later I am filled with remorse for my ridiculous behavior/words. So I think I need to take a pause to BREATHE.
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