2009: Words Which Mean Something
[ 31 December 2008 ]
I noticed last year that when I was writing my weekly “to do” list, & setting intentions for the week, that it was really helpful to have a phrase that I could remember easily. One thing I wrote on my lists pretty regularly was “raw power” — meaning, essentially, eat more raw food! To me, the phrase “raw power” encapsulates everything it needs to. In my head, it translates to, “Eat as much raw food as you can, but don’t freak out about it. Just do your best. You’ll look more radiant, your brain will work better, & you’ll feel happier. Okay, go!” It’s much faster to just write RAW POWER! It helps keep me on track.
Here are my mottos for 2009, all of which I am embracing fully & doing my best to live with passion & purpose! Just like “raw power” above, these phrases have multi-layered meanings for me.
What are they?
I have a copy of this stuck into the front of my 2009 Moleskine. Just like the manifesto I wrote about two days ago, it’s another way to keep myself on track this year.
Do you have any mottos to guide you in the coming year? If not, will you make some?
Love letters & feather headdresses,
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My Motto is to STAY POSITIVE, KICK FEAR TO THE CURB, IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WHAT IS THE POINT AND STAY THE COURSE. HAPPY NEW YEAR GALA, SMOOCHES!!!!
What a lovely idea! I hadn’t gone so far yet to write a manifesto or write out mottos this year (though in the past I typically had a two word motto to define the year, like “Own It”), but seeing yours has me a bit inspired…
I hope you don’t mind if I save this to my computer, Gala… it’s brilliant! :] Happy new year!
Happy New Year, Gala :]
My motto is “be the girl of my dreams!” I’m aiming to be that fantastic person I dreamed of becoming when I was a kid. :)
I’ve already started calling 2009 “The year to get shit done”
I have a lot of goals and plan on meeting them. Living the fairy tale has been a part of my life for over 12 years (since I met the hubby! – shoedaydreams.blogspot.com/200…) and, while becoming vegan was my main transition, eating more raw whole foods and doing a juice feast are big on the list this year. I have to get my 2009 list typed up.
That’s first on my list!
I’m a huge believer in that if you write something down, it is amazing how likely it is to happen. I think you feel this way too – you put it out there and the universe answers. Sometimes in unexpected ways but it does.
There is a lot of positivity out there for 2009. I can’t wait to see what the year brings for us all.
Luv
Poochie
my motto for 2009 is “live without regrets.” i’ve been regretting too many things i’ve done instead of learning from them
My favourite motto for many years has been: be yourself and let yourself shine!
Motto of 2009? (: Screw the past and the yucky, bad stuff that goes with it … it’s time to live your life and not to worry about what others think.
That would be my motto … if that was a motto, but anyways, yeah.
Gala and everyone else, I hope you have a swell New Years Eve (:
My motto is gonna be to stay positive.
Naturally I’m verging on pessimistic so this will be a wee challenge :)
also I’m gonna start eating healthier and generally care more about my body.
+ lucky last and hardest one be less possesive of the bf, even though we are in a shitty long distance situation its only for another year I know I can trust him and i have to stop being so fricking jealous
gah!
Hope you had an awesome NYE Gala :)
Mwah
i love the ‘live the fairytale’ and ‘be a visionary’ words.
i have a list where every sentence begins with ‘the year of …’ it made me feel kind of electric, writing it. but maybe that’s just my inner list nerd!
happy new year, everyone!
I haven’t gotten my goals written up yet. Eek!
Eating more raw foods is absolutely making it to the list. Getting a Carmine Magazine book out next year (via Blurb probably), paying off some of my debt and streamlining some areas of my life are also making it to the list.
My motto idea right now for 2009 is “I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass…and I’m all out of bubblegum.”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp_K8p…
We’ll see if that becomes my final motto/theme or not though.
“Paint that shit gold.” I’m not even that into Atmosphere, but that phrase just sticks in my head like a Buddhist punk’s sutra. Constant optimism and self-assurance, baby~ ☆_☆
Happy New Year beautiful girl!
There were a lot of times during last year that I struggled to get through, but having iCing to come to for a daily fix of happy helped me more than you can imagine – so thank you so much. Saying thank you doesn’t even feel like enough, there needs to be a bigger word to express big amounts of gratitude!
I love your magic words – I’m going to come up with my own words today – yay, I have a project!
Have a good one xoxo
Last night, as the seconds were ticking away til the New Year, I tried to think of things I wanted to achieve/improve/get/stick to. Every other year I haven’t bothered with resolutions or goals or what-have-you, but this year, my goal is to make goals, and stick to them.
I haven’t got a motto, as of yet.
I haven’t even got much inspiration.
But I think, my inspiration will be found in the writings of your blog.
That way, I’ll have a constant reminder to keep on track and stay true to myself.
And from there, I can branch off and start motivating myself.
So thank you, Gala!
Raw power got a healin’ hand
Raw power can destroy a man
Raw power is more than soul
Has got a son called rock and roll!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUbLlE…
Happy New Year Gala! Thanks for another fabulous year of entries!
And in response to this one…
My motto is “embrace chaos” – comes as a direct reference to this thing Nietzsche said about a person needing to have chaos in themselves to be able to “give birth to a dancing star”. So in other words, i have to challenge myself, take risks, and live 2009 with as much out-of-my-comfort-zone pushing as possible!
All the best for 09 everybody~!
Happy new year sweety! :.)
Happy New Year everyone! :]
i’m not sure about a single defining phrase for the year, hmm… i’ll have to keep brainstorming and such :]
but the comments about confidence made me think of a line from a song that i love by this band Jetlag Gemini:
“Spotlights will agree, I am a show you’ve got to see!”
Live, Laugh, Love….. the beer never tastes better.
It means, take life while you can, otheriwse, it will be spolit.
I might be underage, but I do enjoy haveing alcoholics for relatives. (no, i do not drink!!)
oh gala! STAY GOLD has always been my motto :]
Happy 2009 Everyone!
My motto for this year is; 2009 is going to be mine! This year, I am just going to focus on furthering myself in every part of mylife. My main areas are going to be my confidence, independence, and education. I am determined to rid my life of all of the negative’s and focus on the positive; I am going to find a fantastic job so I don’t dread having to work. I am also going to push myself to go outside of my comfort zone because the last year or so I have become very comfy.
Some of my mottos for 2009 include;
Shine, think BIG and love thy self… I am still working on them and I may just pinch your “take action” motto Gala because I am terrible when it comes to waiting for things to happen, I really need to start taking action in my life otherwise my goals will probably never eventuate!
Thanks for such a wonderful creation
xoxo
Aw yay! Happy new year to you tooooo! I had such a great night, I hope you guys do as well!
i love your mantras gala! they’re so inspiring – i’ve decided to do the same for my new journal/inspiration book!
i’ve done my own take of the TiLT list, only it’s things i love two thousand eight! :)
xoxo,
La C.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Follow your heart’s desires
Be your own bestfriend
This one I got from Eat Pray Love- I love you. I’ll never leave you. I’ll always be there for you.
Just to remind your lovely selves :)
“To thine own self be true.”
Overused maybe, but for good reason!
I love the mottos you’ve chosen, especially “Live the fairytale,” “Take action,” and “Stay Gold.” And I think this is a fantastic idea! Usually by January 15th, I’ve forgotten about all my goals and plans and the excitement of starting fresh. Everything just seems to continue as usual, and bad habits go on as well. But I am determined to make 2009 my biggest, baddest year yet!!
Happy New Year’s everyone!
I’m very fond of “stay gold”. I’m not sure why but it’s just sticking to me, so much so that right now I won’t be surprised if I get that tattooed somewhere on me in 2010 (the year I’ll be 18 and able to go past my father’s aversion to tattoos).
my motto/philosophy is simple: BE CHARMING!
when i used to work in a horrible retail job serving rude, horrible people i would just repeat in my head the words- “be charming. everyone loves charming people.” etc.
it encompasses everything- sweetness, manners and a wee bit of quirk.
Also, this is more a quote than a motto, but I’ve always loved: “The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up” (Paul Valery). Which sort of fits into Take Action.
Oh and—I adore that episode of Gossip Girl when Blair is turning 18 and she says to herself, “I am Grace Kelly, Grace Kelly is me!” Fantastic line, that just may become words to live by for myself as well :)
I absolutely adore all of your mottos, most especially “live the fairytale”! I also like “more magic all the time” and “dream big”, all of which I am stealing, if you don’t mind. (I also LOVE LOVE LOVE the use of “stay gold” as I adore that book.) ♥ I haven’t any inspirational mottos for 2009 yet, but you’ve certainly inspired me to make some!
Thanks for making entering the New Year magical!
♥XOXO♥ Julie
“succeed despite the bad things in life, not fail because of them.”
do it up!
I love your mottos!! They’re quite fab.
I’m now quite curious about what else you keep in your Moleskine.
My 2009 motto is “Skibble on through!“
Happy New Years!
Self, please remember the following phrases:
“Dandy 4 Life!” ~ Stay true to your Oscar Wilde-ian, late Victorian, poetical dandy soul!
“Keep it Retarded” ~ Hang a black crystal chandelier over your lime green shag carpet and use a stuffed shark from Ikea as a body pillow. Retardation is the key to giggly grins.
“Go Thoreau” ~ Skip the party. Whittle down your friend list. Retreating into hermitude is not necessarily a bad thing!
“Diner-mite!” ~ Focus, focus, focus on your ultimate goal: owning a diner by 2012!
“No Apologies, No Excuses” ~ Just what it says. :)
Happy New Year!
(dont know why i’m awake actually but never the less i am)
My motto this year, as Nike so eloquently puts it – “JUST DO IT”
Pretty much goes for everything :)
This is really a big year, where i start to take my life in my own direction. I’m pumped for it!!!
YAY for Gala!
:D
What website do you use to format the words?
Gala, Gala, Starry-Eyed Gala, Sweet Child Whom I Love. :)
My mottos for 2009 are: My Life a Fairytale, Imagine-It Real, and Break out the Tutu.
:D
I really want to start doing things that normally happen in fairytales… Painting for hours on the beach with my best friend, sneaking out at 4AM on New Years Eve to eat strawberries in a CANOE, and baking cupcakes with Gala-Pink-Frosting on Christmas Eve… Thats what 2009 is going to be about for me. And as far as the Break Out the Tutu, I’m super super insecure and I really want to learn to be more confident with myself and dress the way I WANT TO and not worrying what others think… I read your article on confidence, and it really helped. (Plus you just earned ten extra silver-star-stickers for wearing ANGEL WINGS on the bus!!!!)
Your my hero, starshine.
Sprinkle
PS-Working on that shirt for ya! ;)
I wrote this about 7 months ago. Gets me through every day.
Forever bright, dreams are never extinguished.
Always existing in ones heart, never to be taken away.
Finding your dreams is as easy as looking towards the horizon, for they shine like the sun.
Continue to follow your own path to your own horizon.
Never allowing others to cast shadow on your ambition or imagination.
Fight through until you have reached your destination.
Only then you may rest, for each human has their purpose and every dreamer deserves their wish.
~Orange Flamingo
Oh, I really enjoyed reading everyone’s mottos. I will definitely be swiping the idea to font-ify them and paste mine right above my desk! Aaaaaand here they are:
-Calm
-Courage
-It is still a beautiful world (from the cheesiest poem EVER, “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann)
-The world is mud luscious and puddle wonderful (e.e. cummings)
-Suck it up, cupcake!
Mine is to Paint Memories
stay young and notice the world
found people > found objects
goodbye is hallo
(a friend pointed this out: in hungarian, “hallo” means goodbye. there’s something just so first-rate about that — like for every end there is a beginning.)
Lately I’ve been chanting “Sí se puede!”
my mantras for 2009 are as follows:
stay gold
be the change
every monday matters
you are beautiful
you are here to create yourself.
here’s to a fabulous 2009!
Mine are:
Nothing Happens Unless First A Dream
Live every day to the fullest
Just Do It
No Day But Today
You’re writing the story of your life one moment at a time
You have the power to Change
Give in to Love or Live in Fear
Dream Big (Sorry swiped it from you Gala)
The Pen Is Mighter Than The Sword
Live through this and you won’t look back.
Love everything!!!
Thanks so much Gala!!! for giving so much! Happy new year to everybody!! The best for all this year 9!!
besitos!! hee
I’ve dubbed 2009 “The Year of Improvements”
It’s going to be something to focus on since my boyfriend dumped me the night of the 30th…
Mine mantra will be the same, “the worst they can say is no”. Basically, ask if you want something or need to know because you don’t lose anything by asking.
and “Seize The Day”.
I hope more wishes will come true in 2009.
Happy New Year everyone!
It’s strange really….we are all on the same page! Hurrah for positivity in 2009!!!
I have been really thinking positive about how this year will turn out. I have decided one of my motto’s would be “We have a lot to love”.The world is so vast and beautiful….we all have amazing family and friends and therefore a lot to love!!!
I am going to concentrate on loving the little things!!!
2008 was the biggest year of my life! Both my parents got cancer and living with that was one of the hardest things I have had to deal with ever. It forced me to grow up immensely!
I have learnt to appreciate everything in life. I take time to listen and look at my surroundings.
Life is a precious thing!
words that mean something to me would be ‘catalyst’ and ‘be ambitious!’ hope you had a fantastic new years!
Believe in love.
Life is sunshine and it’s rain. At the end you’ll find your rainbow.
Be somebody’s bright spark.
My motto for 2009 is to be the best version of me I can be and take every oppertunity that comes my way!
It’s going to be a fantastic year, I can feel it!
My motto is probably; “Be your zany self,” Just because I think it’s important to enjoy life and do what you want instead of worrying what other people wll say. I also want to learn more about myself this year, especially style wise! (:
Okay, I’ve figured out my final theme. Kicking ass and chewing bubblegum was cute, but didn’t feel right.
Last night I was reading Neil Gaiman’s blog and he wrote this:
“Dream Dangerously and Outrageously.”
That is my theme for 2009. :D
Happy New Year! Gala I was wondering, did you make your word cloud on a special program, or just with word?
Hi Gala
I love your theme idea and am still throwing around some ideas..most recently I found these but plan to work on them a bit.
-Dreams are free motherfucker
-“Let your sex be your medicine and your medicine be your sex.”
-Just be you
-Don’t be scared of the pain
-Go Gently
-“Never fear being vulgar, just boring” Diana Vreeland
Keep up the good work.
Hmm… it’s pretty funny that usually, I’m the girl who tries to turn around my life completely during the whole New Year bonanza, but now… I feel like I just want to live, you know?
It’s been such a crazy year for me, from close members in my family passing away to others getting terminal illnesses, to starting college and getting the boyfriend of my dreams. With all these changes, I’ve realized that really, I don’t want to make a resolution to exercise more or to be a more organized person. I just want to live my life, and make the best of every opportunity I can.
I want to really just be my own person, and live my life however I see it best.
So, happy New Year to you all, ducklings!
“Stop existing, start living.”
It’s taken me a good 24 hours to come up with them, but I finally have 4 (my fave number) which work perfectly for me:
Glitter and Sparkles. 2009 is going to be filled with pretty, girly, silly, over-the-top fabulousness. I insist!
Be Still. I’m going to devote more time to meditation, tai chi and yoga and make this a great year spiritually.
Indulge. I’m special and deserve to treat myself to things that make me feel good. I want to be the human version of a cat purring in the sun.
Gratitude. I’m going to list the great things in life every day (a la TiLT) because it helps me focus on the positives and really appreciate things as they happen.
hi gala! love your blog very much. I’ve learned alot. THANK YOU!
My motto for 2009 is..
Change is inevitable:
Think positivity. Express more love. Everyday is gratitude.
Have a blessed 2009. ;)
Carpe Diem – Seize The Day
stay gold has been my motto for years now.
You have put down some really timeless words out there. I have printed them out and stuck to my desktop to keep reminding me. My motto this year – live life…more.
This is cool! I really like it! Can I get it on a racerback singlet, winkwink?
I have mantras for different circumstances. When I’m making a decision or taking a risk or trying something new, I always say, “What’s the worst that could happen?”
For deadline pressure, it’s “Everything will magically fall into place.”
If bad bollocksy nonsense is messing with my head, I tell myself “It’s not real.”
For my job/business, it’s “What are the barriers?” Then I remove them.
I talk a lot (!) and sometimes I have to quote the fabulous fabulous Bret-from-the-Conchords and say, “Shush, baby.”
When I’m doing a pump class at the gym, it’s “This is easy.”
And in general, “I am the music and the music is me.” :)
you should never look back