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.
Happy New Year ALi!!
Mine is going to be "Learn" It is for me meaning, for myself not just :learning the things I want to like my camera, but learning more patience, learning ways of making my daily life easier, helping my children learn what they need to and find ways when they struggle. Learn more about my sons needs. Helping my husband learn how to better take care of his health. Learn ways of living on our now lessoned income. Looking at the word learn really does add up to many different things.
I can't wait to see what you bring to my life this year. I know I have learned a lot from you.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2009 is ACHIEVE.
1. to bring to a successful end; carry through; accomplish
2. to get or attain by effort; gain; obtain
3. to bring about an intended result; accomplish some purpose or effect
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I don't think I have ever left a comment before even though I am a huge fan of your blog. I am not very computer savy but will learn soon I am sure. The 2 words that keep coming up for the past few weeks are "joy" and "possibilities". I am not sure about how they apply to me yet but I am going to take your advise and just mull on them for a while longer. Thanks for all your inspiration and your passion. janie whitney.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Fabulous idea- INITIATE will be my theme for the year as there are many goals I have been pining over for some time but have not quite taken the final steps to see them into reality. Happy New Year!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
abundance. Not in having alot of things, but in living each moment, making the most of what I have, and expanding the contentment that is taking root in my spirit.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2009 is NURTURE and it's yours too. lol
I love the hope & positiveness of this word and that's exactly what I want this year to be. Happy New Year Ali!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2009 is discipline. It is time to get real, about being healthy, about finances and about spirit. I have some big goals for the year, but I have already enlisted the help of friends and know that being disciplined and diligent it the only way to get where I want to be. I am not so focused on the end result, but more the process of getting there; making changes that are going to benefit me for the rest of my life, not just for 2009...
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is 'care'. It has many different meanings for me, all based around slowing down and taking more care of the myself and the people and things that are important to me. Thanks Ali, this is, as always, a fabulous concept. I can already feel myself consciously incorporating this in to my daily life and know it will mean many positive decisions and changes.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Happy New Year Ali! Thanks for the encouragement and nurturing of all of us. My word for this year is 'reach'.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word would be LAUGH. Everyone needs to laugh more, not just me!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali, you are one amazing soul. Look what you have inspired in so many. I love your sweet, gentle way. My life is loud, colorful, and chaotic with 3 teenage boys and all of their friends hanging out here. I love it but am distracted all day long and never get anything 'done.' I need to learn to FOCUS....take care of business, then relax and enjoy the rest. One day they will all be gone and the house will be too quiet!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I have many words floating around and have yet to choose just one.
There have also been a lot of great words listed here.
Happy New Year!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hi Ali,
Happy New Year! My word is create. Create a better life. Simpler, less stuff, more beauty, simplicity.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Happy New Year, Ali! With this being my last 8 months at home with my kids before needing to return to work full-time and my Mom having just been diagnosed with Alzheimers, the word NOW seems to have taken on a whole new meaning. My family is going to find ways to enjoy the NOW and stop waiting for the some day. Already today the word has inspired many things...including this post!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hi! I love that you do this. I'm going to focus on the word "Believe", as in believe in myself, believe in others, believe in possiblities, believe in dreams, believe in magic. Happy New Year!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Thinking about going back to school at 42 and possibly embarking on a new career path as my kids grow. A little scary. So my word is EMBRACE.
Embrace the new possibilities and let go of the fear of something new. Don't get bogged down in the doubt of "how will this work" and just embrace the adventure and let it happen.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I have so many intententions - i always do! This year i plan to FOCUS more on things. Vague i know but i am working on it!
Abs x
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Happy New Year Ali! This promises to be an exciting year for you on many levels! My word for the year is 'facilitate'. I would like to facilitate some changes in my life, starting with a return to a career in teaching. I would like to be a facilitator of peace and love to my children. It is January and change in on its way- I hope. I can. Facilitate!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hi Ali- this is what I posted on my blog yesterday:
"So, now it is all about looking forward. It is hard to resist getting carried away with how I'm going to change myself and things around me at the beginning of a bright shiny new 2009. (turn my health around, lose a ton of weight, get fit, be better at my quiet times, pray more, be more patient, save money, earn more money, be a more patient mom, be a more patient wife- I could go on {and on, and on} but- I digress...) What I really am trying to do, though, is to place myself in God's hands and ask Him to change me. To lead me where He wants me to go and to make me more like Him... So, I have picked my word for 2009- and it's "faith". I was going to choose "simplify", but it's more than that. I need to acknowledge that I can't do this thing (life, simplifying and returning to what's important and necessary. Getting rid of/losing the superfluous stuff) on my own. So my faith leads me to where I need to go. Which, I might add, is not always where I think I want to go.
2009, bright and shiny and new- bring it on! My faith will lead me, and I pray for the strength and courage to act on it..."
May your 2009 be all you hope for, and more.
Love Adele, in Sunny South Africa.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is appreciate, I want to not take the little things for granted as much as possible. I'm so blessed with my daughter and husband, I want to appreciate every moment, memory we make and very breath my lovely baby girl takes.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I have really loved reading everyone's word choices for this new year. I am still contemplating mine. So much to think about and ponder for our individual lives and for the future of our country in the new year. Several come to mind, I think I will narrow it down and choose one tonight. Blessings for 2009!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Happy New Year Ali!
Blessings to you and your family!
COURAGE
~to face the new year alone
~to believe anything is possible
~to regain my the courage I've lost!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I absolutely ADORE Lisa Leonard's work.
I love reading everyone's reasoning for choosing their "word". I'm still contemplating mine...
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I'm still in the process of making my decision and I'm going to see which word I have in mind is most revealing today.
Happy New Year!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I think I will use peace! With lots of changes in our world and in my daily life I think that would be good!! Happy New Year!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.