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 this year is ‘seek.’
My word for 2013 is SHINE – which is not something that comes naturally to me! I’m happiest behind the scenes (safe under my cozy bushel basket :) ), so I’m both curious and a little apprehensive about what this might bring. It’s been very persistent though, so “shine” it shall be.
My word is Hope. A friend just sent this quote from the prophet Isaiah that sums up how I begin my journey with this word this new year: “See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” – Isaiah 42:9
Thank you for the help in choosing my word the reflections have been very encouraging. I have finally let my word find me, instead of trying to find it! My word is “Oases”. I am to go to those places that refresh me as I live in a desert place. I am to open my eyes to the many oases that are all around me as well as those that lie further afield.
Eventually, my word/phrase revealed itself to me…
It is BE A VESSEL
You are very welcome to read my blogpost about it
http://decide-what-you-want.blogspot.co.uk/
And thank you, again, Christine, for the mini-retreat and this wonderful community you have created :o)
Wishing you a blessed 2013!
The word I have chosen for this year is “savor”. It reminds me to slow down and taste, touch, hear, see, smell and most of all to be grateful and most of all to be grateful for life in all its fullness.
Thank you dear Abbey friends and a wonderful year of “savoring” ahead.
Maggie
The word that chose me for 2013: “create”.
The word that chose me for 2013 is “create”.
MY CHOSEN WORD FOR 2013 is EXPAND-
trusting in the slow work of God-
the seeding of a dream-
the call of evolving consciousness
within
without
among
The word that has chosen me is “water.” Water revives the desert land and land tormented by drought. I don’t know what all this means to me, but I will trust in the Lord to lead me and guide me as I discover what He wants me to know. I look forward to the journey in the year ahead!
nourish