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 “awakening”. Each day, each moment, I seem to see with new eyes, hear with new ears, etc. and it’s so exciting to be alive.
Love – aware and grateful for the love around me, receiving love and being more loving of myself and others.
Mine is Show & Shine. It reminds me to reveal that which is Divine and to revel in that Light.
“hospitality” is the word that keeps surfacing for me… many new things in my life. The potential for lots of new people in my life and more ways to serve. I look forward with an open heart to who or what knocks on the door next!
“TRUST” is my word. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) This proverb sums my word, Trust. I spent 2012 in personal hell because I failed to trust God. I failed to speak my truth and pursue my purpose-ministry-passion because I leaned to my own limited understanding. I couldn’t understand why God would chose me. I didn’t trust that He would equip me; He could take me from who I am to who He desired me to be. I was afraid people wouldn’t like, accept me or be upset with me. I failed to act because I was afraid of making a mistake and thats exactly what I did. Consequently, I spent the year sick, angry, in conflict, feeling disconnected from God and wanting to jump out the window. “Trust” I will meditate on it night and day; my life depends on it. Trust, the belief that will equip and promote me to my ministry. Trust, the boldness and courage to speak my truth. Trust, the reward of knowing God is directing my path and works all things to my benefit.
My word is AMEN. I hope to be open to accept whatever comes my way this year.
My word is “illumine”. A recent loss of a dear friend renewed my desire to be a presence in the lives of those around. One that kindles a light in the darkness and evokes peace and tranquility.
The word that came to me is.Peace. If one could have this, everything else falls into place. It is my hope that I could find it since I am already 67 yrs. old
My word for 2013 is “sufficiency”. It reminds me of being a monk in the world as well as out of the world. The wiseman in the Proverbs asked for “only daily bread”. Sufficiency also suggests for a plead for holy providence, that my heart will leave no room other than His alone.
Explore & Experiment – for me, it’s time to push the boundaries of my art and discover where it can go in both medium and message. Looking forward to the first few thousand failures to help find what doesn’t work and open doors to some amazing possibilities.
Hi Kenn, I’ve been writing words on butterflies to post around my apartment to encourage and affirm myself. I’m going to add your words. With the new year I freed myself to make lots of mistakes-missteps on journey to living on purpose. Your words have wonderful connations and energy; they carry a positive outlook and I will use them on my journey. Thank you for sharing. Blessings on your journey.