SHARE YOUR WORD FOR 2016
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 January 6, 2016 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. . .
As in past years, 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. Even if you participated last year, you are more than welcome to register again.
Subscribe to our email newsletter and you will receive a link to start your mini-retreat today. Your information will never be shared or sold. (If you are already subscribed to the newsletter, look for the link in today’s email).
WIN A PRIZE – RANDOM DRAWING GIVEAWAY ON JANUARY 6TH!
We are delighted to offer some wonderful gifts from the Abbey:
- One signed copy each of Soul of a Pilgrim, Eyes of the Heart, The Artist’s Rule, and Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire.
- One space in Sacred Seasons: A Yearlong Journey through the Celtic Wheel of the Year
- 4 people will win their choice of self-study online classes from the following: Creative Flourishing in the Heart of the Desert: A Self-Study Online Retreat with St. Hildegard of Bingen, Soul of a Pilgrim: An Online Art Retreat, Seasons of the Soul, Lectio Divina: The Sacred Art of Reading the World, or Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Contemplative Practice.
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 to receive ongoing inspiration in your in-box. Share the love with others and invite them to participate. Then stay tuned – on January 6th we will announce the prize winners!
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712 Responses
My word is “Metamorphosis” and my vertical poem is (each line starts with a letter of the word):
Much
Energy
Transforms
All
My
Outdated
Restrictions;
Possibilities
Have
Obliterated
Security
Invited
Seeking
As I went for my walk yesterday, a word arose into my consciousness: ALLOW.
For me, this word invites me to step out of the way, and to let Divine flow have its way in my life.
My intention is to enter into the vast mystery of this new year without imposing plans and expectations, knowing it will exact much trust on my part.
Writing from the soul
The phrase “Lead, Laugh, Love” – with lead at the forefront. I have always been a reluctant leader, and I’ve been avoiding its larger call on my life for the past few years. I’m not sure yet what leadership role I’m being called to step into, but apparently it will also be one where I can laugh and love.
The word “thresholds” embraced me before I asked, would not leave me–and so I waited. It is still within me, still waiting to flesh out what is to be. Mystery has become a companion, a call to trust, a “holy birthing” yet to be.
These are the words that just surfaced:
Thresholds 2016
Thresholds await as I ponder
how to move into the mystery
reaching out for me
eager
silent
hovering
over all that has been
longing for truth yet to be
dancing with the whispers
so eager for new life.
roberta parker martin
My word is Rejoice
Look for love and notice the joy inside you. Not that the pain or sorrow or suffering goes away, but joy is having at the same time an overarching delight in and from God.
-Br. Luke Ditewig
This word feels holy and scares me at the same time. Can I trust in God enough to rejoice even if there is sorrows?
But it feels like it is time to Rejoice.
STORY
As a way to further diminish prejudices and preconceived notions, I want to learn the STORY of each person with whom I come in contact.
give me a word 2016: ROOTS
Roots feel the earth
Roots exchange nutrients
Roots belong between
Roots connect
Roots are vascular
The roots of our ancestors.
Roots of knowledge
We put down and pull up roots
We dig for the root
We grow root crops
Roots are the source
Roots are systemic.
Roots are rivers
Roots are resourceful
Roots venture into darkness.
Roots absorb water
Roots are radicle
Roots are supportive
Roots are symbiotic.
Roots uplift the earth
Roots crack open concrete.
Roots are soft
Roots are adventitious
Roots are actively still
Rooting into great mystery
atlasphere/ 05 Jan 16
My word for the year is “rooted” – I considered words like embrace, ease, emerge, but I found that the deeper need is roots. When I think about emerging it feels scary until I imagine roots grounding me, and then it feels empowering. Thank you, Abbey of the Arts, for a place to process my word.
Audacious – I tried to resist the word, it has a good meaning and one that is rude and obnoxious. I accept it. It comes with this for me Audacious, love, prayer, obedience. I want to follow God that way.