One Little Word : Mid-Year

Great timing, Ali! Last night I had the urge to revisit my word because I'd been thinking (for months) how it wasn't right for me any more. My new word feels like a much better fit: http://www.jackycarter.com/2009/06/29/updated-word-for-2009/

I loved reading how you are nurturing yourself and those around you. My word for the year is strength. I'm finding it difficult with all that is happening in my life at the moment. Some days I know I have the strength and other days it is all gone.

Thanks for the inspiring post (as always). I just had to comment that the picture of Anna is adorable, but what really caught my eye were her little curled toes...SO CUTE! Love it when I get a picture with that kind of detail that I wasn't trying for, or didn't even notice when I took the shot. Your devotion to your kids is inspiring and their happiness is so evident in your pictures.

My word has been put to the test. I chose peace this year. Working on having peace and not worrying was my big goal. I have been successful in some areas, but not others. It is a continuing process for me. :) I am working on having peace with what comes our way... Thanks for being inspiring! :)

When I chose my word "calm" I was expecting a challenging year with BIG changes and knew I needed to be the calm that kept normalcy alive in our family. What I did not know was just how BIG (and even devestating) those changes and challenges would be. I'm so thankful I started focusing on "calm" way before I needed to draw upon it in a big way. I had amassed some thoughts in a journal and quotes too and I have again and again found comfort there.

Oh, Ali. I am loving your words today about your word. What a perfect choice that was for you this year. You're nurturing beautifully. xoxo.

Oh, gosh. I will have to track back to remember my word! I remember last year's but not this.
i love how you admit to taking more energy to nurture your family. Good for you. I often am amazed at how you can complete so much with two little ones in the house. Those lists of layouts will be there when the two little ones are off at school.

My word for this year is open, and I have been trying to be open to new experiences. I also try to be open in my thinking and not make snap judgments.
On another note, I wish I had been able to slow down more and live in the present when my children were young. I was not as aware as you seem to be and I admire your maturity in doing this and not getting lost in the day to day craziness of rearing children!

My word was beginning, and indeed has been so many beginnings for me, you made me reflect and write this on paper, so I can concentrate on my beginnings

Beautifully said Ali!

my word was serenity. although i haven't made a conscious choice to put my word into action, it has been put into action none the less. i feel myself going with the flow more often. i am for sure that while i haven't thought about my word since i chose it, it was the right word for me and for this year.

Sweet sweet pictures.
I didn't choose a word in January, but I wish I had. I'd like to choose one now for the next half of 2009.
I first thought of focus, but it's too directive. Then I thought of balance, but I've settled on equilibrium - much more poetic!
Thanks for this idea.

Wonderful thoughts, Ali. The problem with New Year's Resolutions is that people often don't make a plan to come back to their goals, reassess and commit to making progress on them through the year. You coming back to yours is great reminder for me. I really enjoyed reading this post -- lovely photos and all.

"Do" has been my one little word... and this year I launched my blog called "Make it Do" http://makeitdo.worpress.com I have been focused on making and doing projects with and for my family. "Do" is about not being afraid of hard work. But I have tried really hard to work hard with purpose and focus on what's really important.

ummmm I like your word...can I borrow it?

Wonderfully and thoughtfully put Ali, this is what it's all about really. =) Anna is just so sweet!

Ali,
This sentence made me tear up: "I am trying to live fully present in this season of my life without hurrying on to the next." The best parenting advice I ever received was from an elderly friend at my baby shower before my first was born. She said, "Don't wish away the present age, phase, challenge, or joy. Savor each and every stage your children are in, while they are in it, because it all goes by so quickly." I think of that often as I look at my two (now 11 and 7) and catch myself thinking about the next phase. There is always so much to treasure in TODAY. My baby girl is about to turn 8 and it seems like only yesterday that she was Anna's age. Thank you for sharing your beautiful blog, and a peek into your life.
Marla

Good timing Ali. I just did this last week.
http://www.designerdigitals.com/digital-scrapbooking/ideas/showphoto.php?photo=102204&ppuser=574

But layouts and projects are how you make your money, right?
I'm starting to notice a cycle with professional bloggers. At first, they give so much of their lives over to building their blog and readership, and then later in building relationships with sponsors. This all goes well for a time until, for whatever reason, the blogger needs to scale down and take part of their life back.
All of the sudden, the bread and butter of their blog isn't there like it used to be. The readership may get disappointed because they aren't finding the 'product' they were initially drawn to, but no one can blame someone for wanting to devote more time to their family.
My question though is this. I remember a post a long time ago where you said that you were motivated to create on a regular basis because that is how you supported your family. Now you are saying (and with good reason!) that you need more time for your children. But, if you're running a business, as you said, how can you keep expecting people to pay you for what you aren't doing anymore, or not doing with regularity?
I think this is the difficulty with lifestyle blogs. The blogger wants to make money off of what is basically their personal life, turning their day to day life into a business, but they still want to be able to take a break or just slow down whenever they want to. I don't think any other kind of business could survive with that kind of business plan.
In the end, can a balance be found? For the blogger? The readers? The sponsors who are expecting the blogger to use their products and talk them up on the blog?
Maybe the greater focus of your blog from now on won't be on projects and will focus more on your personal life. I hope that readers and sponsors will feel comfortable making that shift with you as you have great talent and have really made a lasting impact on people's lives.

My word has taken on a whole new meaning. It is create, and originally it was chosen to inspire me to create more art this year, possibly even an inventory for a future Etsy store. After finding out that my son and I have Celiac, it has turned into creating a whole new way of eating and living for our family. Now that we can't have gluten, I have to create new menus, new recipes, new ways of eating, of viewing food. We are creating a new, healthy way of life.