Share your Word for 2013
In ancient times, wise men and women fled out into the desert to find a place where they could be fully present to God and to their own inner struggles at work within them. The desert became a place to enter into the refiner’s fire and be stripped down to one’s holy essence. The desert was a threshold place where you emerged different than when you entered.
Many people followed these ammas and abbas, seeking their wisdom and guidance for a meaningful life. One tradition was to ask for a word – this word or phrase would be something on which to ponder for many days, weeks, months, sometimes a whole lifetime. This practice is connected to lectio divina, where we approach the sacred texts with the same request – “give me a word” we ask – something to nourish me, challenge me, a word I can wrestle with and grow into. The word which chooses us has the potential to transform us.
- What is your word for the year ahead? A word which contains within it a seed of invitation to cross a new threshold in your life?
Share your word in the comments section by Tuesday, January 8th and you are automatically entered for the prize drawing (prizes listed below).
A free 12-day online mini-retreat to help your word choose you. . .
This year I am offering all Abbey newsletter subscribers a gift: a free 12-day online mini-retreat with a suggested practice for each day to help your word choose you and to deepen into your word once it has found you.
Sign up here and you can start your mini-retreat today. Once you subscribe you will receive a confirmation email with access to the mini-retreat content (and you are free to unsubscribe at any time). If you are already a subscriber, the invitation will be in this week’s email newsletter.
Win a Prize – Random Drawing Giveaway on January 7th!
Some wonderful friends of the Abbey have offered fabulous prizes to be included in this drawing held from all of the names who participate:
- from Christine Valters Paintner of Abbey of the Arts: a space in the online Lenten retreat with St. Hildegard of Bingen
- from Kayce Stevens Hughlett of Diamonds in the Soul: a signed copy of her book As I Lay Pondering: Daily Invitations to Live a Transformed Life
- from Dana Reynolds at Sacred Life Arts: a space in her online class The Book of Wonderment and a signed copy of her brand new novel Ink and Honey
- from Ronna Detrick: a space in her online class Soulstice: Develop a Meaningful Spiritual Practice
- from Roy DeLeon of Now Praying: a signed copy of his book Praying with the Body and personalized body prayer for your favorite Psalm
- from Tess Giles of Pilgrim’s Moon: a print of the beautiful banner art by Rima Staines
- from Velma Frye: a copy of her CD “Seven Sacred Pauses” and “Take Heart”
- from Richard Bruxvoort Colligan: a copy of each of his Psalm CDs “Sharing the Road” and “Shout for Joy”
- from Trish Bruxvoort Colligan of River’s Voice: a copy of her CDs “Breath” and “Unfolding”
- from Mary Sharratt: a copy of her novel Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard of Bingen
- from Waverly Fitzgerald of Living in Season: a copy of her French Republican Calendar for 2013 and a copy of her New Year Dreams E-book
- from Betsy McCall of the Art Monastery: an original art print
- from Paula Huston: a copy of her latest book Season of Mystery: 10 Spiritual Practies for Embracing a Happier Second Half of Life
Pretty wonderful, isn’t it? Make sure to check out the links to their websites for all kinds of goodness and thank them for supporting the Abbey!
So please share your word (and a sentence about what it means for you) with us below. Subscribe to the Abbey newsletter for your free gift. Share the love with others and invite them to participate. Then stay tuned – on January 7th I will announce the prize winners!
844 Responses
My word is joy.
Today is my 75th Birthday. First time in days, clear blue sky overhead. On this cold, crisp morning, two dozen geese flew over headed south. Louie (standard poodle) and I watched amazed. God is pulling me into a far deeper level of trust & dependence on Him which will result in joy!
My word is publish.
And it choose me. (I had thought of several other maybe words, the one I was leaning toward most was home because of feeling without one … and I had decided it was what I really wanted.) This word kept floating up out of the unconscious and then really pushing itself in front of me and so it’s my word.
In the past, I have chosen fruition and love (as examples) so this very concrete verb is a very interesting one for this year!
My word is Presence…I desire to be more aware of The Presence and to be an intentional presence to and with others.
Gratitude….Meister Eckhard reminds us if the only prayer we ever say is “thank you” that would be enough. Gratitude is so easy to forget amidst the chaos and stresses and dramas of life yet gratitude is the very thing that bring deep joy!
My word came to me while I was cutting fabric for new curtains for my friend who just bought their first house, a fixer-upper. It is “generative”. I want to engage in whatever task/thoughts/practices that are generative i.e. having the ability to create life. I feel called to support all kinds of life-giving opportunities–art, spiritual direction, grandparenting, mentoring, gardening, cooking, mending worn clothes, hospitality.
Bonita, That is such a visual word, I hope that you will experience the energy and joy that comes with your word.
the word that has been ripening in me ~ s p a c e ~
~ taking time and space ~ inner and outer ~ listening, listening ~ being with, opening to what is stirring within, sharing from this spacious self ~
~ with gratitude and love ~
My word for 2013 is TRUST.
I am a worrier by nature and have battled anxiety for as long as I can remember. My focus word for the past few years has been peace. But I’m learning in order for me to have peace, I’m going to have to put my trust in God to take care of all the things that I worry about.
After reading through your article on Embracing Mystery in the New Year, I realize that also requires trust that I don’t have to have all the answers. Embracing the mystery means trusting my future to God, that he is working things out for my good as I trust and follow. It’s about enjoying the journey and living in the moment.
Trust brings so many of these gentle practices into my life. I’m really looking forward to this new year!
My word is ‘open.’ At first I thought it was ‘discern’ since that word kept coming to mind but then during a lectionaries meditation session I had this very strong, very clear image of my chest opening along with the very clear ‘open’ and it’s continued to resonate so I’m going with that.
My word is “sing.” I recently felt drawn to take voice lessons and am discovering a new voice for myself. I feel this has awakened my spirit and that there will be some new songs to offer the Lord in this year.
My word is “listen”,
I want to listen more deeply, to have this become a way of living – ascolta profundamente. As I make some life changes and wait for what comes next I desire to listen deeply and be willing to risk to follow where Lady Wisdom leads.