Visit the Abbey of the Arts online retreat platform to access your programs:

Login Here
Back to all

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.

You might also enjoy

Monk in the World Guest Post: Tarja Cajudo

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Tarja Cajudo’s reflection on the spirituality of being an elder sister, an Ate. I am an Ate (pronounced Ah-teh), the eldest sister.

Read More »
October 8, 2025

Monk in the World Guest Post: Polly Paton-Brown

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Wisdom Council member Polly Paton-Brown’s reflection“I wanna be where my feet are.” November 6th 2024 was a misty day in the part of

Read More »
October 1, 2025

680 Responses

  3. “OPEN” ~ this word had been with me for several weeks now in different ways; it has chosen me.

    OPEN ~ the gates of my heart closed with rusty locks, keys long lost.
    OPEN ~ the shutters that block the light from streaming in through the windows of my soul.
    OPEN ~ clean out the dark corners of my spirit, where dust and cobwebs have collected.
    OPEN ~ to new possibilities, new ways of thinking, new ways of being, new ways of loving.
    OPEN!

  4. “Gift”
    My word for 2014 is “Gift”

    All is Gift and I want to be open to all the new Gifts of 2014.
    And I believe that the more I am open to receiving these Gifts the more I can be my true self and be for others too !

    Not an easy task but I am willing to be open to the New Gifts of 2014.

    Happy New Year ! Pat ;o)

  5. Feasting.
    Feasting that is not gluttony but the simplicity of abundance
    Feasting that is about equality and justice
    Feasting that brings transformation.

  8. My word is authentic as I strive to be my authentic self in all that I do.

    I am tired of playing roles, of trying to be someone that I am not. I am ready to embrace my true, authentic self, the ugly as well as the beautiful parts of me and to walk through my fear of that not being “enough” for the world.

  9. Simplicity — as in the unam necessarium: I have been reading up on so many mystics and modern day gurus, I’ve nearly lost my own sense of presence and the Presence. I want really know The Master Jesus in Scripture.

  10. My word is embrace.
    Embrace the universe and all the vibrations within and we will know just how connected we all are.