One Little Word 2013

Every year, people ask "What is your New Year's resolution?"  Maybe you decide to exercise more, be kinder, lose those last 15 pounds.  How often do we actually follow through on these new "goals", though?  My friend, Julie, introduced me to this idea of 'One Little Word'.  It is a program started several years ago by Ali Edwards.

She offers an online course titled One Little Word.  Here is an excerpt from the course description:

"It can be something tangible or intangible. It can be a thought, 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 heart speaks 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."

Although I am not planning on participating in Ali's year long course, I do plan on choosing a word and referring back to it throughout the year.

**INSPIRE** 

This year, I want to inspire those around me - both my friends and family that I see on a daily basis, and those following me online - through my work.  I want to inspire others to pursue their dreams.  And more than that - I want to be inspired.  Over the next year, I plan to seek out those things that inspire me.  Each month I am going to try to do some special project to remind myself to be inspired and to reflect that inspiration. 

If you are one of those people who sets annual New Year's resolutions, and actually keeps them, more power to you!  That takes a lot of motivation.  If you aren't, I want to encourage you to try this.  Find your word, and incorporate it into your life this year.

  

New Year's Giveaway

I was honored last week to receive an email from Marcie at I Gotta Try That, asking if I would be interested in participating in her mega-giveaway to celebrate the New Year.  14 different blogging-sponsors have come together to establish a prize package valued at over $350!

There are 12 days remaining to enter the contest.  For more information, or to enter the contest, visit the 2013 New Year's Giveaway here.

The Liebster Award

Thank you to Jessica at Working on a Healthier Tomorrow for nominating me for the Liebster Award!



"Liebster" is a German word meaning sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved,  lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, or welcome. The Liebster Award is granted to new,  up and coming bloggers with great potential and fewer  than 200 followers. According to the rules of the Liebster Award, I am to answer 11 questions  posed at the nominating website, choose 11 people to whom I will pass on this honor, and then  make up 11 more questions which the new recipients must then in turn answer.      11 questions from Working on a Healthier Tomorrow:
1. What is one thing you have always wanted to do but haven't (yet)? Drive across the country from Seattle to Boston.
2. Do you have children? Not yet - maybe someday.
3. Who is your biggest inspiration? My younger sister - she has always done exactly what she wants to without worrying about what anybody else would think about it.
4. Why did you start Blogging? With my first blog, to share recipes and crafts that I had tried and connect with other people.  My Mind's Lens started to share my photography and get feedback on my work.
5. What is your favorite movie? There are so many, but if I could only pick one, it would probably be Pride & Prejudice.
6. What is your favorite food? Pizza - or just about anything with cream cheese.
7. Where would you travel if you could go to only 1 place? That's easy: Italy.
8. If you were stranded on a deserted island would you rather have electricity and your gadgets, or the actor/singer of your dreams? There aren't really any actors/singers that I would want to be stranded with, so electricity & gadgets.
9. What is your favorite meal of the day (Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner, Dessert)? Breakfast!
10. What do you do to relax after a long day? Pour a glass of wine and snuggle on the couch.
11. What is your favorite book? Anything by Nicholas Sparks.


11 Random things about me:
1. I spent 3 months in China at the end of my college "career"
2. I would rather be poor and have a happy life with my husband than have all the money in the world.
3. There is a 20 year gap between me and my youngest sibling.
4. If I could only eat 1 thing for the rest of my life, it would probably be either ice cream or bananas.
5. Christmas explodes at our house - I like to put out as many decorations as possible, without it looking too cluttered.
6. I would love to live somewhere where it is exactly 78-85 degrees year-round.
7. We have three of the cutest nieces ever...
8.  ...and our first nephew on the way.
9. I try to always have my camera on me wherever I go, just in case.
10. I hate trying to pick out gifts.
11. Someday I would like to be able to transition my love for photography into a career. 

 
11 Questions for the nominees:
1. If you could meet anyone, current or from the past, who would it be?
2. What is your LEAST favorite task around the house?
3. Where is your favorite place that you have visited?
4. What do you like to do when you have time to kill?
5. Spots or stripes?
6. What are the top three items on your wish list?
7. How many different cities have you lived in?
8. What is your favorite beverage?
9. Would you rather visit the ocean or the mountains?
10. How many blogs do you follow regularly?  
11. Are you a morning person or a night owl?


11 Blogs I nominated:
1.  Borrowed Heaven
2.  Fourth House on the Right
3.  Scattered Horizons Photography
4.  Random-osity
5.  Journey with Joy
6.  Picking Peonies
7.  You'll Shoot Your Eye Out
8.  My Memory Art
9.  City Girl Gone Country
10. Katie Stories
11. Its Raining Jelly Beans


Here are the rules should you choose to accept the award:
1. Thank your nominator and link back to the nominator’s blog in your post.
2. Answer the 11 questions posted by the nominator.
3. List 11 random facts about yourself.
4. Create 11 questions for your nominees.
5. Nominate 11 other fabulous up and coming blogs with less than 200 followers for the Liebster Blog Award.