Best Laid Plans & Thinking Ahead

Hi Ali, I was inspired to choose a word for 2008. I chose BALANCE. I needed to find a balance between my family and the rest of my life. in past years I have become very involved in school committees and volunteering in many areas and have felt that I have pushed my boys aside for these activities that I was involved in. I made the January page of my calendar my balance page. I am proud to say that we have found 2008 full of BALANCE. I have stepped back from alot of external things and spent more time helping in my own childs class -interacting with 8yo son during his class time. I have seen him open up and become quite cuddly and loving this year. I feel better in myself and our family has benefited to no end. THANKYOU for the inspiration. I now need to choose a new word for 2009. Many Chrismas wishes to you and your family.

For the first time ever, I know my word! It jumped out at me a few weeks ago like it was meant to be. My word for 2009 is GIVE. I want to challenge myself to be more giving, sharing, and teach my children about giving.

sending get well wishes your way

I didn't do this last year, but read about others doing it. And it percolated all year in the back of my mind. Last week it came up to me in a burst....COURAGE. My word for 2009 is courage. I had thought of tranquility, patience, health....but all of those boiling down to one thing, changing myself. And it takes courage to change. Courage to not procrastinate, courage to go out on a limb, courage to exercise every day....you get the idea.
Bring on 2009.

i thought that book looked so good too...i hope you will share what you think of it...i'm excited to start thinking about my word. thanks for the reminder:)...feel better, my dear! but for now just enjoy the time:)

I've been giving the one little word a bit of thought this past few weeks as well. There are a few floating about - I think it's going to be one about the people I love and prioritising them. Fun to think about. I hope you feel better in good time for Christmas :)

so sorry to hear you are under the weather...Hope you are feeling better soon my friend! Just stay on that really big brown couch of yours!
I have my word all ready for 2009...
PURPOSE
Merry Merry Christmas!
Love,
Steph

Hope you are feeling better soon esp for Christmas day. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

If you like Malcolm Gladwell, you should read his other book he wrote called "The Tipping Point" it's a very good and interesting read! It's also a quick read too!

i love how my "word" seems to come to me! My word for 2009 is release! I am going to release the past, release expectations from people that continue to let me down, release my extra kilos, release negativity, release!

Ali,
Can't tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I've been scrapbooking for 3 years and feeling overwhelmed by how much I want to do instead of just doing it. We just moved to the Middle East and are awaiting all of our household effects (including all of my craft/scrap/art supplies except some ink and stamps) and I am just itching to work on something. Thanks to 2peas and others who ship here, I am ready to go and feeling SO inspired. I know many other scrappers who respond to you in the same way...WOW! and just wanted to share that with you. I was pregnant with my second child at this time last year and felt absolutely drained at the end of each day but still filled with hope for our new little life. You must be getting excited!
Well, I am loving the idea of ONE LITTLE WORD and have chosen one for 2009. possibility. I was thinking of "opportunity" because there are so many things that (as most other SAHMs) I have been putting off until the right time and as my oldest enters preschool and my youngest is still napping, THIS IS THE TIME. I just happened to read your post from 3 years ago today and read the bit about Sister Joan and the word "possibility" was there as well. That solidified it for me. I shall try to be "full of new possibilities always." I am looking for all kinds of cool inspiration to create while I await my other toys and goodies. Thanks again for all you do for us...I am feeling more like a life artist than an overwhelmed scrapper. Cheers and happy holidays!

I thought of the perfect one just as I was drifting off to sleep. REACH
This word encompasses the many things that I want to have an impact with this year. It's the one! Thanks Ali!

Hi Ali, sorry to hear you are not feeling to good but things happen for a reason and I believe that you deserve a well earned rest. You have been so busy all year and now you have to take care of you just for a little while.
Thanks for the heads up about 'one word' 2009. 2008 I chose 'rediscover' and for the past year I have had many challenges thrown at me to put my word to use. I made a calendar for 2009 and my January month has a special space for my 'one word'. I did a quick flick through the 2008 words and the word 'accept' jumped out at me.
Sometimes life can be pretty unpredictable and as much as I organise and plan sometimes I have to just 'accept' that life will happen regardless of what you planned. Some good and some bad but that's life. I will enjoy the ride yet again - twists and turns and all.
Hope you feel better soon.
hugs,
Manola xo
Australia

Hi Ali, hope you feel better soon and you are enjoying your quiet time for now. I have been thinking about my one word for the year and MAKE DO (actially two little words) has been in on my mind lately. I was inspired by a wonderful TED talk about happiness. It's about accepting, simplifying and just being aware that I already have what I need and finding gratitude for that. In a world of abundance we somtimes lose sight of all the simple precious things we already have. Instead of focusing on acquiring more I want to focus on making the most of the resources I have.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday filled with moments to cherish.

you always have the best finds! i love malcolm g. i hadn't seen this book yet. THANK YOU!

Hoping you feel better. It's always rough getting sick around Christmas, but when you're pregnant? Ugh. WAY worse.
Merry Christmas and God Bless.

You're reading the same book I'm reading right now. Good one!
December seems to be the sick month in our house too. I gotta remember that for next year and be all done with preparations by the end of November.
Have a wonderful Christmas!

Sending you wishes of a speedy recovery, dear Ali! I've been thinking a lot about you lately! And about my new year's word too, imagine that? ;) Last year was the year of "flight"! And it turned out that I really took off and made some dreams come true. This next year, I'm thinking it has got to be "bloom" ~ So I can give continuity to the projects I started in 2008. Missing you, friend! Can't wait to see more of you in 2009! Happy Holidays! xxoxx

I hope you got to relax - you need it!!!

Ali - hope you feel better soon! It is no fun being sick around the holidays especially when one is pregnant! And I'm so glad you reminded me I wanted that book - I'm going to go order it now.
Steph