One Little Word 2009 & Giveaways

My word is summed up in that necklace:
COURAGE
There are so many words that would apply to my life right now, but courage sums it up. I need to have courage to face my fears and really *live* the life I have been given, not just muddle through the day. Courage to step out of my comfort zone and grow mentally, physically, spiritually and of course creatively. Courage to let go of all the "what if's" in life and embrace the here and now. Courage to be true to MYSELF...ME...I...and not care so much about what everyone else thinks.
Thanks for all the inspiration Ali. I wish you and your family a very happy, healthy and nurturing New Year.

Hmmmmmm, this will be my 3rd year of selecting a word also.....I was thinking Listen, but, Nuture has so many appropriate applications too. Will decide tomorrow. Today is a real closing of the year for me as it is my birthday too. Thanks Ali to you for all the goodness you are bringing to the world.
Be well.

My word for 2009 is Embrace. We are headed for a lot of changes in the new year. New jobs, a new city, a new house, new schools....We love where we are now so are pretty tentative about all the changes but I hope to embrace them and the opportunities that await us.

My word is GROW.
To bring into existence and foster the development of.
To come to be.
The definitions sum it up for me!

I didn't have a "word" for 2008, even though I thought alot about it. I had just turned 50, and I had dubbed 2008 "The Year of Me." Looking back, it was a period of exploration and getting to know who I had grown into.
Over the last couple of months, part of this self exploration has revealed that there are many things I need to let go of, and I had been thinking that would be my word. See how the things you write stick with people?!
So anyway, I have refined it into a single word - Release.
2009 will be the year I focus on releasing things I have outgrown - be it excess baggage or just plain clutter. I will release stresses and frustrations. All of this to make room for a new, mature me.
My mantra for the year will support that - "Let it go, and move on."

do.
This is my word for 2009. I read through the list of collected words you posted a while ago and this little word just struck something deep inside of me. I have been dwelling on whether this is could really be "the" word for a while now, as somehow it seems to simple, to direct and to clear - not such a "inspiring" word like many of the others. But then, this is exactly what I am trying to achieve. Simply, directly and clearly just - do.

Hi Ali,
My word for 2009 is COURAGE...
COURAGE to make the changes that I need to make.
COURAGE to accept God's plan for me; even though it isn't my plan. (Trying to have another baby.)
COURAGE to stay calm in times of frustration.
COURAGE to stay focused and complete my tasks timely.
COURAGE to keep a positive outlook despite what is all going on in this world.
COURAGE to hug more, listen better, play longer and laugh easier. (This was adopted from a writing on Lisa Leonard's blog. I keep this saying in a place where I can see it every day.)
COURAGE to be the best wife and mom that I can be.
COURAGE to accept the things I cannot change.
Thanks, Ali, for all the inspiration. I look forward to reading your blog in 2009.
Jill

Love the idea of the one-word-thing! I have been thinking about it lately and not yet sure about which one to pick. I plan to use the 1st of January to make my final choice. These are the ones that have popping up:
- BALANCE in daily live, kids, work, me, us...
- ART; be creative not only functional but also artistical
- FOCUS; find out what is really important and focus on these issues...
Have a very happy and healthy 2009!

My word is "grow." I would like to grow in all directions: as a mom , as a wife, as a teacher, as a citizen of the world!

What fun! The first word to pop into my head was "embrace"..as in embrace whatever comes my way, good or bad, and also embrace-literally-those special people in my life.
The other word that comes to mind is 'treasure' for many of the same reasons. Time is fleeting, moments pass so fast. I need to try to treasure them instead of get thru them!

Last year, my word was "embrace.". - my year was filled with one kindergardner, one middle schooler, one high schooler, and a husband who works the opposite work hours from mine.
So this year, I choose the word "PATIENCE" -as we continue our adventure and remind myself that someday this will pass . . . .

My word for 2009 is TRUST...it's something I really need to work on....trusting not only myself, but others as well. Happy New Year!

I'm so bad at this stuff.... the first word that came to my mind was "family"
Andrea J

Hi there - My word for the coming year is MOMENT. I'm about to step away from full-time work to raise my children. I want to be fully present in the moment, remembering that I will have these moments - right now - to remember later.

this year I am THANKFUL. For my children, friends, husband and my new health
THANKFUL for being able to do anything I want to do and to share some of my good fortune with others

I've been thinking about my word off and on for a few days now, and nothing cohesive seems to be coming forward. I want to learn - to be more crafty, to manage my time better, to relax, to enjoy. I want to live - a full life, a peaceful life, every moment. I want to dream - of our future, of a photography business.
Many things to think on. Maybe I can find a word to combine all these things :)
Wonderful word choice Ali!! Happy New Year!

My word is "choose". In the coming year I hope to make wise choices for myself and my family. Choose to be happy, choose to eat healthy, choose to slow down, choose to be in the moment! Happy New Year.

i love the word for the year concept. In 2007 my word was "simplify", in 2008 it was "hope". These words really helped me thru some transitions. For 2009 i'm thinking about "go", "do", or "be". i think i need something calming & yet a little instigating. Thanks for sharing your words, Ali & everyone!

BECOME.......... this is my word for the year. I just turned 30 years ago and am trying to go back to school. I am looking for a life career now that my children are getting closer to being in middle school and the younger years that they need me most is almost gone. They are stepping into a new chapter of life and I think it is time for me to also. My friend gave me a necklace for my birthday with the word 'become' and with it attached a note that I will forever be greatful for.

My word for the year 2009 is aspire. In all aspects of my life I hope to aspire to greatness - aspire to have a better personality, aspire to greatness in my art, scrapbooking, photography and health.
Thanks for sharing your life with us and inspiring us to live life. Happy New Year!