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
Truth!
Alone! the Truth is that I need to be alone with the Alone. Again today, someone said this; and I, said, “My fingers are filled with honey.” And, I remembered that the call to the Desert is still real for me today as it was long ago! I wonder if the Word that chose me is still with me in
this unknowing in which I find myself. . .
TRUTH in other words:
Alone!
Alone with the Alone!
Desert Call!
Cloud of Unknowing!
Here Now!
Now I begin!
Deeper into the Unknowning of the Unknown of the Unknowable!
The word which has revealed itself to me in many synchronicities is FREEDOM. Once found it was enhanced by this quote from David Foster Wallace: ” There are all different kinds of freedom, and the kind that is most precious you will not hear much talk about in the great outside world of wanting and achieving. The really important kind of freedom involves attention and awareness and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people.” I will work with freedom FROM and freedom TO…
The word knocking at the door of my heart for weeks now has been “mindfulness.” It’s not always a pleasant feeling ..to slow down – to abandon my impatient nature – to be aware of the wonder of each moment. I have a sense the blessing to come out of this world may take some time – if not a life-time.
My word is “unbind”. It came to me during a deep meditation where images of unwrapping cords around those I love and those who have harmed me were undone as each person was released in trust. As each person or idea was released, new ones arose from deep within me. It was and continues to be a very liberating practice.
My word for 2013 is DEVOTION. I’m looking forward to infusing my life with the energy of ardent dedication.
Cultivate
To me it means a partnership with creation: nurturing and bringing out what is underneath. For me, I know something has already been planted and I am helping it grow. In growth there are times of dormancy when the growth is about nurturing it’s potential. Then the potential transforms into movement and action, many times with an unexpected result.
My word is insight. During Birthing the Holy, this word kept coming up and I am looking forward ti spending the year with it.
my word for 2013 is “gold” ~ as in the japanese art of “golden joinery” – the powdered gold and resin that is used to repair broken vessels rendering them stronger and more beautiful.
Many new things are happening in my life. God is calling me to step into them and not run from or fear what is to come. My word is embrace. After reading the following definition, I’m reminded there is much to grow into with this word in the coming year.
1 –
a : to clasp in the arms : hug
b : cherish, love
2 –
: encircle, enclose
3 –
a : to take up especially readily or gladly
b : to avail oneself of : welcome
4 –
a : to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more inclusive whole
b : to be equal or equivalent to
PALIMPSEST
This will be a year of covering and uncovering – layers from the past and new ones added – an ongoing collage…