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 for 2013 is LOVE….It is the desire of my heart that I deepen my understanding of its vast & varied meanings & applications to my life…. That I increase in knowing that nothing can separate me from God’s love; increase in my awareness of God’s loving presence ; and that I increase in my receptivity to receiving His love & my ability to pour that love out to others…. LOVE is the Key that can open any door, any heart!
My word is DEVOTION. I’m guided to profound dedication to the beauty way.
Journey is my word for 2013
Pace….pace changes all things…At what Pace shall I move to accomplish this task Divine one? At first I thought it was slow down…but then I realized that that is directive…if I change it to a question…I am connected…if I listen…then I am guided. A blessed Epiphany to you all.
Artemisia, both the artist and the plant.
Artemisia Gentileschi was an amazing artist in a time when women in the arts were considered an inappropriate intrusion. Her paintings clearly state that she understood strength and suffering … and beauty. Sometimes that beauty was horrific.
The many plants, artemesia, are also strong and hardy, tolerant of adverse conditions, yet they can possess soft or silvery foliage. Their leaves dance hypnotically and beautifully in the breeze.
As an artist and a gardener, I hope to learn from both Artemisias this year.
Adore. With the help of tbe Holy Spirit I will try to keep the spirit of adoration within me that it may keep me humble before my God who loved me into being.
transcendence ….. Going to sit with this one for a bit(hopefully under the
Winter sky!) it’s meaning for me is coming slowly. Happy New Year to you all!
Greetings…my hearts word is “Cuilidh” pronounced cool-ee which is a Gaelic word meaning treasury,sanctuary,retreat or secret hiding place for precious things. I pray in this year of 2013 that my heart becomes a cuilidh for all of the precious things that the Lord wants me to hold true. Peace and blessings….
My word is STAR and it finally came on the feast of the Epiphany. I will look for the star in each day pointing to Jesus.
My word for 2013 Awakening
I want to be more conscious, lovingly present to each moment
of the sacrament of life ,awake and aware of the Presence all around,
about and within us.
Robert