One Little Word 2009 & Giveaways

I love the idea of two words. I love nurture, reading it on your blog today just made it click...I have a family to nurture, a store to nurture as well as my self...I also love the idea of grace as it is something I strive for in a world full of men :)

Our family word for 2009 is 'simplify'. We have been cocooning over the past months and are hoping to downsize in the next year. We pray we can instill in our children that living simply can allow us to be present for and help others. Thank you for inspiring us to make a difference in our world.
Vicki Ellen

My word for 2009 is RUN. I just bought a new pair of running shoes, the best and most expensive pair yet. I feel the need to get serious in '09 about my running. It's a change from my words the last 2 years which were ENJOY and RELAX. Ahhh, I love the possibilities that await in a new year.

Every year my friends and I come up with a mantra for the year. It's more than one word, but it's "manage expectations". We want to work on managing the expectations we have for ourselves and others and those that others have of us.

My word is grow. I am hoping to grow a photography business, a new job in ministry, my relationship with God, and sometime this year, maybe a little baby!

My word for 2009 is Relax. I stress out so much doing for others (I am a mom of 4) that I forget to relax. I get myself so worked up. So this year, my goal is to "relax" and take a deep breath. It's not the end of the world if something doesn't get done. Relax and take a deep breath.....................

I feel the weight of this almost like trying to choose the names of my children. I have so much I want to change, improve, and try for the new year. Not quite sure about my word chance. So much dancing in my head. I will come up with it soon. Thanks for the chance to win!

i'm not quite decided yet, but i'm thinking about "fresh." fresh starts, fresh perspectives, reFRESHing my creative spirit
happy new year!!

Hi Ali,
My word for 2009 is "grow"
I especially hope to grow professionally, and explore some new avenues for the future.
Happy New Year!

I haven't settled on it, but it's becoming solid I think. My word is COMPASION.
I think the world overall lacks compasion for one another.. but I often find myself consummed in my own world and having time to only care for those closely in it.
I want to be able to understand people more and have patience for others. Like the next time someone in checkout line snaps at you, or doesn't say hello.. to not be judgemental, but to think that maybe he or she has been having a rough day too. It goes way beyond that, but just for a quick example.
I too am expecting this year, in June, with our third child. I was this year to be different, more empowering and calm.
My husband and I are self-employed and our business has been challenged by the slowing economy, we face loosing our livelihood. But even in the worst of times, I think people need compasion. I want to focus on that and more. Maybe I'll have a few words.
I think you picked a great one.
Thanks for adding personal challenges as well as creative ones!! :)
Happy New Year!

Hi Alie, I first want to say congratulations on finding out that you're having a beautiful little girl. How exciting for Simon to embrace a new little sister. I'm also excited to see what Jessica will be having too.
My word for the new year is GRACE. So often we want to judge others on how they do something or what they say, we have been given grace through Christ, he shows us grace everyday, we need to do the same. We need to put others first...

Hi Ali love the word you picked. For me my word is GRATEFUL it is a word I am using everyday and really feel it is where I am mentally and emotionally. When you are blessed enough to live through a medical crisis that your doctors told your family you wouldn't and you know it is only because of the power of prayer from those around you as well as being so dependent upon them GRATEFUL becomes your mantra.

My word for 2009 is "appreciate". I want to focus on appreciating the people, events and things in my life. I want to be appropriately grateful for ALL the material and non-material things in my life. This means enjoying what I have and not always striving for more. I am a very lucky person and want to work on appreciating that more.
Amy

My word is Change.
I could say Hope...but I think Change is better. Instead of hoping for all the changes I want in the new year, I plan to live as if they will happen instead of hoping they will happen.

Hi Ali, I love your blog and word for the year! My 2007 word was Peace and my 2008 word was Compassion--focusing on both in my life and prayers helped me immensely! My word for 2009 is "Accept". Dictionary defines as: to take or receive; to accommodate or reconcile oneself to. I love the word because I want to know and understand the feelings that I have and who I am.
Happy New Year to you and Chris and Simon!

Hi Alie, I first want to say congratulations on finding out that you're having a beautiful little girl. How exciting for Simon to embrace a new little sister. I'm also excited to see what Jessica will be having too.
My word for the new year is GRACE. So often we want to judge others on how they do something or what they say, we have been given grace through Christ, he shows us grace everyday, we need to do the same. We need to put others first...

My word for 2009 is content. There have been so many obstacles in 2008 and I have just been asking "why" questions and making "if" statements all year. I want to be content in ALL things in life. Hopefully I will enjoy it much more!

and yes.. I know how to spell COMPASSION! LOL
I'm just too busy all the time and type way too fast to realize that I only put ONE s in the word, all the three or so times I used it.
OPPS! Silly me! :)

My word is courage, so imagine the little thrill I got seeing that necklace! Happy New Year, Ali, and love and peace and nurturing in 2009!

Words that I'm thinking about for 2009 include: strength, positive, relax, rest and calm. All words that relate me and our life here. Life can be busy by times. Maybe one little word will help remind me to slow down and embrace all life's little moments.