This is one of my favourite websites about scrapbooking:

www.aliedwards.typepad.com/

I found this quote from her site in 2007 (I altered it a tad)

"Last year I began a tradition of chosing one word for myself each January - a word that I can focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. Last year my word was something I wanted to bring into my life in a more tangible way. My word was play.

I thought a lot about play and what it means to me. I tried to incorporate it more into my everyday and on my adventures out in the crazy world. For me, it was a lot about living without fear - about being more open to experiences with an attitude of playfulness. The word play found its way onto many scrapbook pages and into many stories I told throughout the year.

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."

Anyone up for this type of challenge??

The word I'm thinking of is clarity... not sure yet...

HA HA... I'm not clear yet :P

Robin

Robin,
Awesome idea, although you have to be aware that limiting me to ONE word is torture.

I'd have to go with "possibilities." It feels like so many are opening up in my life right now and I'll be spending a lot of time in the next year exploring them. Thanks for this, it was really neat to think about.

AG

FREEDOM

Believe....

I need to believe in the possibilites, believe that I will find what I need for a better me and to believe what I hear from the people around me (especially my T )

This was a good exercise.

TN

Awareness

I need to be aware of my feelings and why I am feeling them. Aware of my fears and learn better ways of coping with them. Aware of when I need help, so I can ask for it.

Right now, I am "aware" that you really stretched my brain! Thanks!
PL

This is a great idea. I like it too. There are so many words I could choose, but I will start with "acceptance."

I need to learn to accept myself, my limitations (another name for boundaries), and my place in this world. I need to accept that I am a good person even when I am having a bad time and that depression does not have to define me.

Thanks Robin. It's hard not to think a little more positively when you come up with a word like that. That really helped.

And I'm as bad as AG. Ask for one word and I still give you several paragraphs.

I think I'd go with "exploration."

- a fairly positive word. Might even involve going out a bit more, aye? :P

I'm very pleased that you folks like this idea and are running with it!

Merry Christmas.
Robin

The word I'm picking is "clear"

1. free from darkness, obscurity, or cloudiness; light: a clear day.
2. transparent; pellucid: clear water.
3. without discoloration, defect, or blemish: a clear complexion; a clear pane of glass.
4. of a pure, even color: a clear yellow.
5. easily seen; sharply defined: a clear outline.
7. free from hoarse, harsh, or rasping qualities: a clear voice; clear as a bell.
8. easily understood; without ambiguity: clear, concise answers.
9. entirely comprehensible; completely understood: The ultimate causes of inflation may never be clear.
10. distinct; evident; plain: a clear case of misbehavior.
11. free from confusion, uncertainty, or doubt: clear thinking.
12. perceiving or discerning distinctly: a clear mind.
13. convinced; certain: He was not clear on the first point that she made but agreed with the others.
14. free from anything that would disturb or blame: a clear conscience.
15. free from suspicion of guilt or complicity: She was entirely clear of the crime until one of her accomplices turned informer.
16. serene; calm; untroubled: a clear brow.
17. free from obstructions or obstacles; open: a clear view; a clear path.
18. free from entanglement or contact: He kept clear of her after the argument. She managed to keep her dress clear of the mud.
19. without limitation or qualification; absolute: a clear victory.
20. free from obligation, liability, or debt: After twenty years, our house is clear of the mortgage. Municipal bonds were returning as much as 9 percent, clear of taxes.
21. without deduction or diminution: a clear $1000 after taxes.
22. freed or emptied of contents, cargo, etc.
23. (of tree trunks or timber) free from branches, knots, or other protruding or rough parts: The trunk was clear for 20 feet above the ground.
26. bright; shining: a clear flame.
27. Obsolete. illustrious.
–adverb 28. in a clear or distinct manner; clearly.
29. so as not to be in contact with or near; away (often fol. by of): Stand clear of the closing doors.
30. entirely; completely; clean: to cut a piece clear off; to climb clear to the top; to run clear off the road.

HA! I cut out a few of the irrelevent meanings...

Robin

NO FAIR!

JM took my word! I guess I'll just have to accept that and come up with another...

Is "guilt-free" one word as long as I hyphenate it?

Okay...

Took awhile but I came up with "SELF-LOVE"

Two words I know, but I going with OW's one word as long as it is hyphenated.


Kats

well... I don't mind if you pick two words! Or even pick a word that someone else has. It's all about what YOU want and what speaks to you. I'm loving this exercise!

Robin

Hey OW, I don't own it. (At least not yet, but maybe if I try real hard I will eventually.)

Feel free to use that word too.
JM

After 41 years of being angry, lonely and emotionally frozen, I think for 2009 I'll go with "healing." Healing can include so many things, like learning to accept and love yourself, getting to the bottom of who you are, and so much more.

Great idea, Robin.

Russ

thanks for this great suggestion, Robin!

my word is definitely : COLORFUL

as opposed to black and white