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 “heart.” It claimed me a few weeks ago–i carry it in my pill boxnon a narrow piece oc paper. Each time when I open my pill box (3x/day), I see it and feel a soft spot in my soul–God’s love touching my innermost being. This has been such a gift!
It took a few days to find my word. When I looked at the last two years’ words they started with Invitation, followed by Acceptance. I wondered what could follow that? I was hearing “go deeply” but I felt that wasn’t quite right, yet. This letting whatever wanted to come to me has been difficult because of preparations for the holiday season were speeding up and I had a lot on my mind and heart. Then I heard it – “Infusion”. To infuse is to “pour into, to fill”. For two years I have been working on letting go in order to make space for what I thought wanted to come forth from deep within me. Now I am to work on letting ? the Sacred, ? inspiration , ?what- come into my depths and then what? I think I am glad I have a year to work on this. I find that I am excited with that prospect.
My word is “home.” I am called to put down roots, both physically, emotionally and spiritually.
My word is “Sanctuary”. To create a safe and soul-filled space in which to be with Spirit.
My word is ‘joy’ – the bright thread that runs through the ups and downs of daily life, one sure sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the constant, always happening, exuberant expression of wildly creative God/dess. My intent is to open to joy every day and reflect it outward in whatever ways I am able.
My word is “rest”. I am being called to rest …while snowshoeing this word came to me.Nature is at rest under a blanket of snow…Waiting with God for the renewal of Spring.
My word is “shift”. I am invited to shift my perspective from one of judgement to one of compassion and acceptance. It’s a process and I find myself going back and forth.
I am enjoying the mini retreat and it has helped me find a word for next year. Actually the word DID find me. For me, one who rarely remembers dreams – you suggested to have a pad and pen available over night – and sure enough, that is when it appeared:
STRETCH
I held it for a number of days, praying and pondering and it kept calling me. Gave me energy. made me smile at its possibilities.
Thank you!
My word is SOUL-CENTERED, an expansion, in many layers, on the word ‘self-care’.
Vigils (night). My stress level is high right now. A history of insomnia has reared its head this past week, but has been transformed into a release of prayer. Instead of anxious hyper vigilance, melting and tears- tenderness in God’s presence. I want to be vigilant with the eyes of faith.