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'm still thinking of my word for 2009, but something like {calm} keeps popping up...
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Strength.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Oh, do I have to pick one word ... I just ran across your blog and I love this idea. I want to think about it some more, but off the top of my head ... faithful, healed, intentional, and peace ... simplicity. Ahhh, now that one speaks to me.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2009 is:
EMBRACE
change. age. family. life.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I tend to take for granted all of the wonderful entities in my life and am always looking for something better. So, my word for 2009 is "Grateful". Hopefully it will remind me of how blessed I am and to live in the here and now and appreciate it to the fullest.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2009 is NOURISH. I want to nourish my soul, my family, my body (in a good way), and my church.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
COURAGE!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is HOPE. As the mother of a child with autism, my word is always HOPE. I HOPE for a cure. I HOPE that all of the time and $ that we spend on therapy will lead to an independent life. I HOPE that we have planned enough to take care of his needs when we are gone. I HOPE that people will learn to accept him as he is.I HOPE for our states to wake up and force insurance companies to cover autism treatment. I HOPE.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Happy New Year Ali! In 2009 I am focusing on my health. On Epiphany Sunday at my church, we pass around a basket that has construction paper stars in it. On each star there is a stamped image of the Wise men, and a word. You are to reach into the basket, pull out a star and reflect on that word for the rest of the year in all areas of your life...so instead of choosing the word yourself, the word chooses you. Whatever my word will be this Sunday, I will focus it on my health. I need to take care of myself in order to take care of others.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
For 2009 my word is BELIEVE. Believe in myself more, believe that I can do whatever I choose and believe that everything will be better in 2009.
Once again, thanks so much for such awesome inspiration, Ali!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali, I very much like this idea ... the affirmation we'll give ourselves each day!
My word for 2009 is 'gratitude' ... reminding myself to be grateful, appreciative, accepting of whatever comes along. Never a bad thing, I figure. ;-)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is INTENTIONAL. I am going to be intentional about my spiritual growth, my everyday life (Project 365) and everything I do. I want to be aware of what is going on including the little things.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2009 is Strength. I want to strength myself physically, mentally and creatively. 2009 is going to be a great year!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
my 2009 word is "loving". i want to try and make sure that i am loving in my gestures, acts, and words. it's going to be extremely difficult, but i'm hoping it will help me curb my sarcastic, sometime pessimistic nature.
i hope you had a wonderful year in 08! happy new year! :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is patience! This is something I really need to work on cause I have NONE! Thanks for all your inspiration and all you do and share with us!! Happy New Year!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I was going to write this down yesterday, but for some reason i was stuck between two words and i wanted to commit to one before i wrote it here.
This will be my third year choosing a word and now i've got my DH on board! He had seen what my word "simplify" grew into this past year and wanted to give it a try this year!
We both have chosen the word BALANCE. He's got a new job that will be a challenge for him to keep the work/family balance and trying to get a promotion on top of that.
For me, i need to maintain balance with my main responsibilities, to balance instead of being or having one mixed up mess, to have my thoughts and ideas equal my words and actions.
BALANCE noun, verb, -anced, -anc⋅ing.
–noun
1. a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc.
2. something used to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.
3. mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc.
–verb (used with object)
1. to bring to or hold in equilibrium; poise
2. to arrange, adjust, or proportion the parts of symmetrically
3. to estimate the relative weight or importance of
Thank you Ali for doing this again!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2009 is Flourish. I want to grow in many different areas of my life and I think this is the perfect word for me in 2009. Thanks always for the inspiration!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Quiet. I am focusing on myself, keeping my thoughts, actions, daily routine, goals very focused, introspective and most of all quiet. Noise is everywhere, I am bringing some quiet time to me. Thank you Ali!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I have never participated in the One Little Word, although I have loved reading about it over the last few years.
This year I have experienced many changes and challenges in my life and 2009 looks to be full as well. My 4 y.o. was diagnosed with Autism, I lost a job, got a better one, am going to school and working full time, discovered a rare cancerous tumour incidentally and had surgery and am now cured.
This moves me to the word SEEK. There are so many things at this place in my life that I seek - balance, joy, patience,peace, order, time, deeper relationships, ways I want to grow. This word allows me to move toward finding some of these intangible positive things in everyday experiences.
Happy New Year to you and yours! Thank you for being such an inspiration to so many.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 08 - Heal (we had lost our oldest son at the tail end of 06 and it was time for some healing).
My 09 word - Restore (faith in myself, faith to my family, faith in my God).
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Happy New Year and thanks for sharing this project.My word - my very first word ever - Deeper. I want to delve deeper into all I startedin 2009 and into being my true self.
Dy
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2009 is Ali's word from last year...VITALITY. I am going to take my vitamins and ride my bike! Thank you Ali for all of the inspiration in 2008. You are so inspiring!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Happy New Year Ali, I wish you and your family all the best for the New Year!!!
My word for 2009 is "Believe".
believe:to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so
Sign in or sign up to comment.
i have been trying to think of what my word should be all week. i'm still feeling stuck.
i do know that i want to be easier on myself. forgive myself easier. loosen my grip on everything + just let relax. be more present for my kids and husband instead of worrying what needs to be done next. i'll be back when i've decided for sure what my word is. i love the idea of having a necklace with the word on it!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I struggled with this word because it seems so cheesy and cliche but multiple views of the thesaurus didn't help me come up with anything that conveys exactly what I want to say. So, my word for 2009 is going to be "Cherish." My kids' childhoods seem to be speeding by faster and faster and by next fall, both of them will be in school all day long.
In these last months before that big change, I want to slow down and savor our moments together, pay closer attention to the little things and create some beautiful memories. So... cherish!
Sign in or sign up to comment.