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 “openness”. I have been living in Zambia for three months and have learned alot about contentment, satisfaction, love, and trust. But being receptive and open is the lesson that I am learning the most in the moments of discomfort , of silences, of inadequacy.
“Deep” is the word that has found me. I am feeling the call to go deeper into my contemplative and creative practice. Thank you.
Gratitude.
My word for 2013 is “engage”. I KNOW this will bring many discoveries and I am curious to see them!
My word is liberate.
My word is ‘presence’. I was going to choose surrender but presence seems to encompass the idea of surrendering to the mystery which is my centre of gravity just by being present.
Yesterday I turned 54 and last night I dreamt I was “pregnant”. And i am …. spiritually pregnant. This is how I have been feeling through advent, through the gift, through my body and through my emotions. So, so much in one word.
be·calm (b-käm)
tr.v. be·calmed, be·calm·ing, be·calms
1. To make calm or still; soothe.
2. To render motionless for lack of wind.
May our hearts be becalmed in 2013.
Regina
The word that continues to enter my thoughts is ‘ bewilderment’. As I embrace daily the mystery of life I realize that there is a fine line between Surprise/Awe/Amazement and Confusion/Discomfiture/Disorientation. I love how this word challenges me to rejoice in wonder and yet to also embrace disturbances necessary for growth… I also like playing with the words inside the word – be wild – perhaps a message to me to let go and reclaim who I am apart from societal/cultural conditioning and roles… to be who I am – untamed. Bewilderment – my word for 2013.
“Give me a word!”…. What a wonderful prayer! It is a basic desire in every spiritual tradition , the word that awakens my body, my soul, my spirit, encouraging, loving, healing, life giving as “talitha kumi”…, enlightening like a “koan”… When I read first about this wonderful suggestion immediately the word “TENDER”, “TENDERNESS” came to me. It is a vessel that can be filled with many interpretations, many activities, and all are compassionate and loving. I chose the word “tenderness” for 2013.