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
I have really been drawn to Hildegard’s word viriditas, but I did not feel like it was mine for this year. Today I saw an image of the green only showing after a blanket of snow lifted. I feel the word choosing me is ” uncover”. There are things that need to lift before the greening can occur. I am drawn to the greening, but have other work to do to prepare for it. UNCOVER
Uncover
There is hope underneath and an anticipation of green
But it is not yet visible, and seems to be a distance away.
My voice has become weak, and I feel at times invisible.
There is work to be done.
I feel the desire for freedom and a life where I can let go and dance
And breath the fresh air, while the sun shines on my face
That day will come, I have faith.
But today, let’s uncover.
Radiance is the word that came to me at our Epiphany Eucharist today (Jan 6th.) The word appeared in several hymns and was hinted in many prayers. Preliminary thoughts are that I should radiate the love of Christ to all whom I meet. A new thought, I should accept God’s radiance and bathe in that light and love.
My word is create because this is where I’m being led. What am I to create is the question.
The word that keeps coming up for me is love.
My word for 2013 has not yet manifested, but I want to continue to dwell with my word for 2012 which is only beginning to show up in my life and that word is Presence. It includes everything: being in the divine presence, being present to my life and presenting my work to the world.
The word that has found me is GRACIOUS, with its attendant words, grace, graciousness, gracefulness. I don’t yet understand its challenges, but it has been very strongly confirmed as the word on which I am to dwell in the near future. My mother was an amazingly gracious person who practiced radical hospitality, and it may be that I am called to follow her spirit of selflessness and kindness.
My word is LABYRINTHINE. I like the dynamic of an adjective to describe the exciting arabesques of the year ahead – free because disciplined. Walking a hidden labyrinth in the Australian bush on the Range where I live is a sacred space in time and in the cosmos where my inner and outer world can meet as often as I allow them to this year.
I have been contemplating this for a bit, thus the last minute submission, but for 2013 I am looking at the word “reconnection” to self, to community, to nature. I have disconnected over the years and now am looking to find my way to reconnection.
EMERGE . . . This year has been one of breaking out of old molds, old shells, old thought patterns. It is not enough to break the old, one has to EMERGE into the new life that is waiting. Do not stand looking at the shell . . . . step out into a new world. A world God created.
my word is release.