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Give Me a Word 2014: Fifth Annual Abbey Giveaway

Share your Word for 2014

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 below by Monday, January 6, 2014 and you are automatically entered for the prize drawing (prizes listed below). Last year we had 840 people share!

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 6th!

I am delighted to offer some wonderful gifts from the Abbey:

So please share your word (and it would be wonderful to include 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 6th I will announce the prize winners!

If this is your first time commenting at the Abbey, or you are including a link, your comment will need to be approved before appearing, which usually takes less than 24 hours.

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680 Responses

  2. My word for the new year is “roots” as I will be making the pilgrimage to Galway in March with my wife to connect more deeply with my spiritual roots that reside in the land, the sea, the monasteries, fellow and sister pilgrims, and the people of Ireland. Also, Ireland contains family roots for both myself and my wife. As one hymn says, “roots hold me close and wings set me free.” (From the Unitarian-Universalist Association signature hymn –Spirit of Life.)

  3. Marscha,

    I can relate 100% to your comments about writing. I am a college professor and have been an educator most of my life. I do “formal–from the head” writing easily and well.

    You said, “May I find my heart through meditation and reflection.
    And then “write” my heart out!”

    That is my prayer also. You said it so well.

  4. “Write” is right in 2014.
    But also write from – the heart.
    Head is easy for me,
    but from the heart will call for more.
    May I find my heart through meditation and reflection.
    And then “write” my heart out!

  5. Pingback: One Word to Guide You or – How I’m Spending the 12 Days of Christmas | The HouseHolder's Path

  6. I love this practice
    …so deceptively simple yet carries me through an entire year. RECEIVE – it chose me. Just what if….i set all my planning and hopes and dreams aside and let God write that script….The other day dear Pope Francis said in an homily…let God write your history. So that, scary as it is for this active DO-er….is the plan.

  7. My word came very easily to me this year. It’s *Go!* Too much time spent spinning around and around in sorrow and indecision. I just gotta Go! Where, I have no idea, but hopefully the universe does!

  8. My word is “hope”. This is my second year to reflect on hope. So many of us are struggling to hold on to hope through challenging life circumstances that I believe it will be good to continue this reflection.

  9. PEACE: John 14:27….I have had tribulation aplenty in 2013 yet it fulfilled my word for that year, FREEDOM. This year the Spirit speaks PEACE. I will take it!! With gratitude and hope.
    Blessings to all!!!