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 2012 “word” was – loose ends. Really? I said in January. Really it was… and on December 21st I felt the last end tied securely, my heart opened, and I was at ease down to the roots of my feet. For the first time all year (and even before 2012).
In that great relaxation, I went waiting for 2013’s word. It was shy – or moving slowly, the way I was :) – and it didn’t manifest until Day 10.
My 2013 is Presence. And I suspect it’s not just God’s presence, or my stillness in abiding in God’s presence (always my challenge!), but how I use my presence in my days. Happy new year!
Mine is, simply: Enough.
My word has been growing in me for months now–simplicity–it will be my mode and challenge!
My word is Nurture – as a beacon to guide me, as a question to help me let go of the unnecessary, as a way to treat the least loveable parts of myself.
My word for 2013 is Reveal. With God’s grace, I’m looking for how to reveal myself to myself, reveal myself to God and reveal God to me.
OPEN…my word for 2013 i was given this word in an instant after a good deal of wishing and pondering it just slipped out of and into my heart. i pray i will be open to creative efforts…open to peace and calm..open to change and uncertainty…open to relationship and solitude…open…
As a year ends, and another begins, I listen for the word that will be my guide throughout the year. This year, 2012, my “One Word” was ‘suppleness’. I needed to be supple, flexible, giving as I entered this year without employment having chosen to leave a job and place I loved, knowing I needed to stretch. Suppleness was a good word for me. Being conscious of the need for suppleness in my thinking, doing and being has added great value to my life.
This coming year, 2013, the “One Word” that’s come to me is “Rejoice”. To find value in all things, to celebrate life, however it appears, to rejoice in life without judging, measuring or controlling its unfolding…
And, to celebrate ‘Rejoice’, I created a painting of it which was a wonderful way to welcome it in.
My word for 2013 is LISTEN to Spirit, to my soul, to the wind, the river and all of nature, to other people – where I usually get answers from Spirit and my guides when I ask for help. This is my first experience with the Abbey of the Arts. Thank you, my dear friend, Claire, for introducing me and Thank you, Christine for this deeply meaningful exercise.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this short and informative course. I like the brievity of it that it can be quickly read but meditated on as long as required. My word is OPEN.
Simple but so comprehensive to be open to what comes across my path during the next year. My prayer is the the Holy Spirit will help keep me awake and watchful so I may be open to His bidding.