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 peace…………
My word is “savor” – to simmer in the present moment and really know and feel it through the senses and in my heart. To pause in the busyness and to savor the sacredness of things.
GIVE-ME-A-WORD
Hey Christine;
My word for 2013 is RENUNCIATION
I feel it will strengthen my spirit, my actions and my wellbeing for 2013!
Out with fears …In with action!
My word is change.
My word is TRUST.
My word for last year was “watch”. I knew I needed to watch for God’s work in my life and the lives of my dear ones, as I sometimes missed it. That word took on a painful irony as I watched a loved one crash and burn while I could only look on and pray. So for 2013 I was thinking along the lines of being alert. But the lectionary reading a couple of days ago was from Isaiah 26: You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is an everlasting rock…
I resisted at first, because of the negative connotations in my past. “Just trust God.” “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way…” But I knew then that my word had chosen me!
Thank you Christine for the reminder of this wonderful practice which you first introduced me to a few years ago. It has blessed me immeasurably in the past. I had almost forgotten about it this year. This morning, not long after reading your email, a word virtually leapt into my heart: Devotion. After letting it settling all day, it has continued to unwrap and enfold me and I am looking forward to all that it will reveal this year. Your gentle spirit constantly nourishes me, even from across the seas in my beloved Ireland. Bless you.
I was chosen by ‘Happiness”
Dear Christine,
I was overwhelmed this season with a move and a midlife transition. I was so numb from all the events and crisis’s that came up that I noticed the lack of creative space to contemplate, which is so special to me each year at this time.
I subscribed knowing I might not read every prompt but praying that just being part of your guidance would help me stay focused on my spiritual path.
Behold! On the first day of the new year I awoke early and felt the urge to go into my beloved woods release my dogs remains who, non expectantly past earlier this year. As i walked and reflected on the year past the word Happiness came and I knew right away that it was indeed the right word for me.
Thank You and many Blessings to you in the new Year.
In Happiness,
Andrea
my word for 2013 is INTERDEPENDENCE
My word is “hope”.
The word “hope” has been circling me for a few weeks as I grapple with recent news and events…and search for a flicker of light when life can feel so dark at times. This morning I realized the word had chosen me 24 years ago while waiting for my 4th child to be born who I gave the middle name, “Hope” when she arrived. Currently I am again waiting for another 9 months for this child’s safe return from her adventure of teaching ballet in New Delhi. This can be another time to infuse my time of anticipation with HOPE!
Scale:
/sk?l/
Noun:
a protective skin covering
a tool for measuring
a range of values for grading
Verb:
to remove scales from
to weigh or measure
to climb up or over
to make in accord with a particular proportion
To alter according to a standard or by degrees
The word “scale” has a rich, complex etymology. In noun form scale suggests weights and measures, or a tool with which to balance. In verb form scale implies developing perspective, moving forward while adjusting that which needs attention.
As a spiritual word, scale may evoke images of depth or height, such as “He brought me up from a desolate pit” (Ps 40:1). Within that image is embedded gratitude and joy, although in its entirety the psalm exhorts patience. Such a complex word, scale….
How will I use it to underpin my intentions? How can I develop it into a meditation? Where will the word bring me?
S…smart
C…collected
A…alive
L…love
E…evolve
These words are the foundation. The journey will be interesting…..