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 is forward.
forward with everything.
forward with resolutions.
forward with taylor's education.
forward with plans.
forward with play.
forward with caring for others.
forward with caring for myself.
forward with paying off bills.
forward with saving money.
forward with simplifying.
foward with relationships.
forward with life.
no backtracking. none.
rage on.
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cliche as it sounds - and like i didn't put much thought into it - HAPPY - HAPPY is my word for the year. it's something i've struggled with my entire life. as a child growing up - i didn't find it easily. as an adult - i pushed it away - and now as a mother - i don't make time for it. all i need to do is to sit back, be present and let it walk right in the door, pull up a chair beside me, and have a nice warm cup of coffee with me. HAPPY. come on in. and i KNOW everything else falls into place.
thanks for this each year. you truly inspire me. our goal this coming year is to make a trip to Bend to visit family. perhaps we'll finally get a chance to have a cup of coffee together.
peace to you, Chris, Simon and Bebe Girlie on the way in this new year.
cheers!
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Ali, this is so nice of you and your fellow crafters.My word for the New Year is "Content" I feel that in this greedy world we live in we have so much to be thankful for and we are trying not to get swept up in the materialistic thing. As others are getting new stuff daily we are trying to simplify, and live a much more simple life. Your have been a great inspiration and we wish you and your family all the best that life could offer in 2009.
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My word for 2009 is CHERISH.
I want to make better use of my time and cherish each moment with my family.
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I've done this for the last two years and found it very helpful, so I've been thinking about it for awhile. I've decided on LEARN for 2009. and have broken it down into three categories with very specific things to do to reach each of the three "goals." I'm excited to start again.
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My word is "harmony." After 34 years of being single, I got married last summer. I am adjusting to now living with someone else and making our home together. Additionally, I am constantly striving for balance between my day job, my growing side business, and my personal life. I'm excited to get to work, focusing on creating harmony in my life. Happy New Year to all! Good luck with the remaining days of your pregnancy, Ali!
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I think my word for 2009 is going to be balance. Loving your word nurture too! Happy New year to you all!
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Right now I'm leaning towards DELIGHT. I want a word that will help me focus on success in my business, and one that will help me be more present with my family. Maybe BALANCE is a better word....
Thank you for making me think this morning...this is important!
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My word for 2008 was "Balance" and although I think I followed through and managed to keep my balance, I still feel that I could do a better job in various aspects of my life. So my word for 2009 is "Better" - to take better care of myself and my family - to do what I do, only *better*, more mindfully and with more purpose. Thanks for continuing to inspire through your blog! All the best to you and your family in 2009!
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My word is family. I think this word means a lot. Spending time with my family. Growing my family. Taking pictures!
Jennifer Butler
NYC
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My word for 2009~BE
9 things to BE in '09
1~Wiser with money
2~Involved
3~Organized
4~Creative
5~Informed
6~Healthier
7~Smarter
8~A better reader
9~HAPPY
Happy New Year!!
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my word for 2009 is "Do"..you know from that od Mountain Dew commercial "Just Dew It"...yes... THIS YEAR...I"m going to "DO"
anythng everything all the things I need, want, have wanted to and just never "DO"...
yep..said it meant it and now I'm going to "DO" it...feels good just saying it!!!
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Hi Ali! Love your blog and love all of your ideas. I just finished my daily december album and I love it! Thanks for the inspiration. I am still thinking about my word for 2009, but I think it is going to be "cherish".
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My word for 2009 is focus. With a my first baby due in June and so many changes surrounding both that and my husband's small business, I want to remember to focus on the little moments and not get swept up in all the chaos and transitions. I want to take time to enjoy being pregnant and focus on nurturing this little being growing inside of me.
FOCUS!
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I am still thinking about my word, but am considering ENJOY, EMPATHY, TRUST and a few more.
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My word for 2009 is POSITIVITY. In 2008 I have learned that my life was much brighter and much more enjoyable when I started to become more grateful for everyday things. I would like to continue this positive path in my life, therefore my chosen word to reflect this
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I haven't decided on mine yet either, but I was thinking strength, courage or hope. All of these words are ones that I would like to incorporate into my daily life.
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My word of 2009 is PATIENCE.
I can admit that I don't always have a lot of patience in life and with people, so that is my struggle that I am committed to working on in 2009 (and beyond).
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dangit, I thought I was all clever and unique choosing "Nurture" and now I see that I'm not, LOL! I'm going to focus this year on nurturing my family, my business,and especially, myself.
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My word for 2009 is DARE. Dare to try new things, dare to say YES (
and NO!), dare to slow down and not worry about getting everything done. Thank you for the beautiful giveaways.
Nieka
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I have yet to decide on my word for the year. Last year was "true". The year before was "live". Still thinking! :)
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My word is PLAN! Plan everything like, my meals, my grocery list (and stick to it), activities for the kids, chores, budget etc. Thank you for getting me started on this!
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My word is 'let'. As in "let go & let God". 2009 holds many exciting changes for me and my family and I just need to remember that his plan is infinitely better than any I could dream up. One of the things we are doing is building a home, and I would like to have this saying on a wall somewhere within that home.
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My word is explore-- giving myself permission to try check things out with an expectation attached.
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My word for 2009 will be SIMPLIFY. I have clutter on my computer, clutter in my house, clutter in my heart, and clutter in my brain. I plan to declutter it all and live a more simple and precise exsistent. Stuff is just that. I want to do and have only what I truly love and nothing more than that.
Rachel
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