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 for 2009 is BALANCE.
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Perfect giveaways for this post! I was looking through your list of words from last year the other day and I have it narrowed down to a smaller bunch (13), but not one yet. Hopefully one will rise to the top of the list naturally over the next few days.
Happy New Year to you and your family!
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Happy New Year! My word is BALANCE, I feel it always comes down to balance in life and so for the second year I'm still working on it.
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Hi Ali and all!
My word for 2009 is LIVE. I find myself just going through the motions of life and not really living.
Thank you so much for your inspiring blog. I stumbled on it in searching for things to get over a creative slump. I look forward to what is to come in 2009.
Happy New Year!
Anna-Marie
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I have been thinking about this for awhile and I have decided on "HAPPINESS". I have found being at home with my children that happiness is a choice - I can choose to be happy when I get up in the morning or I can choose to nit-pick about everything, affecting everyone's happiness level in our home. So, I definitely want to remind myself to be happy as soon as I wake up and evaluate my happiness level at the end of the day.
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The first word that came to me was SIMPLIFY...our lives our so busy & crazy that something has to give...it is time to declutter!!! or my word could be KISS...keep it simple stupid...have a great New Year!!!
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I am excited to have a word for the year. And I chose "explore". For me that will mean trying new things both at work and at home and getting out of my normal routine. And also to explore new trends and techniques in my crafting.
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My word for 2009 is Simplify. For me, it's an action word . . . moving forward and actually simplifying my home and my life and reaping the rewards of that action. I'm excited for 2009!
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PATIENCE! Having two kids under 5 and just finding out we are unexpectedly "expecting" number 3 in 2009, I know I am going to need lots of patience. Not only with my children, but with myself and my husband as we get used to the idea of having another child.
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Hi Ali,
I did not have my word yet, until I was at the end of your post. My first goal for 2009 is to find a new job. I did not want my word to be jobsearch or anything like that (A yearlong search... that's not what I have in mind!) But now I think it has to be: FIND. This year I do not want to search for joy, peace, simplicity, a job... I want to find it!
Thanks for the insight!
Marsha.
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Love your word choice, Ali. It strikes a chord with me for this upcoming year too. :)
I spent some time yesterday searching for my 2009 word and decided on "TODAY"- a reminder to live in the present moment, accomplish my goals one step/day at a time, and cherish all those everyday little moments that slip away too quickly. :)
Happy New Year!!
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My word for 2009 will be "execute". I find I'm very good at coming up with grand plans and I have many, many dreams - what I'm short on though is EXECUTION. I plan to focus on "doing" rather than thinking or wishing.
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My word will be FOCUS! I recently lost almost 50 pounds and need to stay focused on keeping it off. I also need to FOCUS on "me" time. I spend so much time on others, I need to remember myself. FOCUS on keeping things simple in my life.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Happy new Year!
Trindin
Macomb, MI
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My word for this year is THRIVE. It is the first thing that comes into my mond when I think about everything I am looking forward to in 2009.
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My word: inspire
I want to slow down and discover the inspiring bits of life and our world and inspire others with ideas on how to better our world and our lives.
Thank you.
Katie
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My one little word this year is APPRECIATE. I need to appreciate my husband more, my children, my gorgeous house, all my friends, etc. I want to really focus on this. Happy New Year Ali!
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Ali!
You are so inspiring! Just thought I would let you know!
I am still thinking about what my word will be. There are many possibilities. Some of those would be EMBRACE...the here and now; RELAX...self-explanatory; PATIENCE...with myself, with others, with life; JOY...find joy in everything that surrounds me; GRACE...a reminder that grace sustains me, always.
So there are some of the possibilities.
Thank you for being you! Happy 2009!
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My word is motion.
I want to act on all my good intentions and follow through on things. I have some big goals to accomplish this year and I need to set them in motion a little bit every day to do that!
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BALANCE. It is an ongoing word for me. It requires having priorities in place off which to bounce each decision...toward balance.
Rhonda H
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I think my word for the next year will be choice. I am an empty nester so I have choices to make on how the next phase of life (without kids 24/7) will go, and choices to make about how to improve my health, and choices on how to spend my time and money. It will be a reminder to me that I am in control on what I do and when I do it. And even when things happen that I didn't choose to happen, I have choices on how I will adapt and deal with whatever happens next.
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discover: is my word for the year..discover who i am, where i fit in this great big world, discover pelaseure in the moment, art, photography, life, family, friends and how to continue simpilify my life, what is really important..
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Hi Ali,
I love the concept of one little word! My word for 2009 is kindness. I think there can never be enough of it.......
Thank you for such a great give away!
Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year, Ali! My word for 2009 is FOCUS. This was my word for last year, but I slipped off track about two months into the year. I am blessed to have the opportunity to try it again. Thanks for everything! Maria
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I haven't thought much yet about my word but the first one that came to me was CAPTURE -- or maybe PURSUE. I'm thinking Capture joy, capture happiness, hope, love, etc. So Pursue would be a good one as well. I think sometimes I live life in the status quo and not pursue or capture all the things I want to do and be. Thanks for motivating me to think about my word!! =)
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Just 3 weeks ago, I had decided that my word for 2009 would be "write." Then, 2 days before Christmas, my doctor phoned with some test results that got my attention. I'm torn now - trying to decide if I should change my word to 'health' --- 'write' is still where my heart is. But, it seems like 'health' is where I need to focus my efforts.
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