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
The word FRIENDSHIP came to me through a dream, specifically friendship with Jesus, and what that means. Friends help each other out. Not only will I receive help when I ask, but also I am to give help to friends of my Friend who may be in need or trouble. That’s what friends do.
Since 2011’s word was “listen”; somehow “open” has continued to hold my attention…………the open door; open heart; etc.
My word is HEAL. My spirit has been hurting for sometime as I did everything I could to detach with love while remaining in my marriage with an alcoholic husband. March will be the one year anniversary of our separation. I continue to struggle with letting go and letting God, moving through the grief process to acceptance and forgiving myself for the part I played in our troubled relationship. Being a part of the Abbey of the Arts has given me many resources that help me daily to experience peace and serenity. Thank you Christine. And thank you Louise for leading me to her.
ALLOW is the word resonating with me now as I work with doorways and thresholds. To let go of resistance and allow the unfolding.
Savor
Savor what has been, what is now, and the possibilities and opportunities ahead.
Savor being present to this moment, myself, my grief and my joy.
Savor where I am and the wonder of what surrounds me–water, mountains, trees, rivers, all of it.
From sinking into this word during Advent , I realize that life is asking me to linger a bit longer in THRESHOLD, where I’ll trample the unknown!
Nourish
That which nourishes my body, mind and soul.
That is of which I will partake of this year.
Illuminate~ For myself and others. When I turn on my light to remember who I am, others nearby receive light also. When we illuminate our essence, it cannot be contained. It seeps out under closed doors, through closed blinds, or even if our eyes are shut, we still see some light. This year I want to share my essence like a crystal chandelier!
The word that chose me is “Discovery.” It grabbed me when I read this sentence written by Peggy Tabor Millin: “….commit to a life of perpetual discovery.” On this journey of discovery, I jump off my familiar path and take the one that is full of surprises and uncertainties.
My word is incandescent. It stands for the love light that illuminates each human face if only we choose to see it.