SHARE YOUR WORD FOR 2017
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, 2017 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 the Sunday email).
WIN A PRIZE – RANDOM DRAWING GIVEAWAY ON JANUARY 6TH!
We are delighted to offer some wonderful gifts from the Abbey:
- One space in our upcoming New Year’s online retreat – Spiraling Inward: Seven Celtic Spiritual Practices
- One signed copy each of Illuminating the Way, Soul of a Pilgrim, Eyes of the Heart, The Artist’s Rule, and Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire.
- One space in our online program Sacred Seasons: A Yearlong Journey through the Celtic Wheel of the Year
- 4 people will win their choice of our self-study online retreats
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!
316 Responses
“Longing” – more than any word, this one seems to hold power, direction, guidance and truth. This year I will dedicate to noticing, acknowledging, feeding my longing.
My word (so far) is well-being.
“Amplectamur diem: Squeeze the day!” May Love teach me its deepening ways, beginning with embracing each day with its shocks and quirks, its small wonders and imminent dangers. (Hope my Latin is correct: I used an online translator.)
How delightful, Laurie! I smiled at the profound silliness of the phrase. Jovial at once and so worthy of extended contemplation at second glance. Thank you, dear one.
Glad it made you think as well as smile, Jennifer. I feel a tad Harry Potterish when I say it aloud. :) Which makes me grin. Good antidote to my ingrained work ethic, too.
My word is “delight” A word that calls to me and repels me plus I keep finding it in my reading in the world and also in the monk manifesto. My practice is to go deeper with my current appreciation practices in nature to add delight to the appreciation..a different chord? of appreciation.. Would love any recommendations for a spiritual companion teacher who resonates in delight! It has been a good process. thank you!!
So interesting, Kate. If you feel like sharing, what is it about “delight” that repels you? I feel a connection with your association of “delight” with “repels you”, I stir with this mixture as well and am willing to discuss further if you so choose. Hope to read from you, Kate!
Hi Jennifer!! The word was helped to come to me by a soul friend who did a shamanic journey for me, and then it appeared several different places so I knew it was the one! I think for me there is still a bit of the belief that life should be hard or something like that. The word delight is so light and airy and full of joy… The vibration will be new for me. I am very embracing of appreciation and love but it is so serious most of the time! Why are you slightly repelled by the word? thank you for your words!
Still….. Still not certain if it is “still like a forest pond”, “still like a very deep river” “still like the ocean at sunset”, “still like a heron waiting to snatch a tasty morsel” ,”Still like as a stone”, “still as a monk in oneness with the One” …..so I wait….Still
still as stillness itself……?
My word for 2017 is not one I would choose for myself – STRONG – as in Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous for the Lord will be with you wherever you go”
My word for 2017 is PROSPER, meaning to grow, bloom and share with kindness and gratitude.
Although I am systematic about writing Words as I think of them, I choose to alight on THE Word as it blossoms. I chose many but today, I *believe* My Word chose me. I will sit with it, I will test it.
Two days ago I thought my word would be appreciation, I was drawn, not only to the idea of gratitude but to the additional concepts of assessment and awareness. I was almost settled when during Meeting for Worship (I’m a member of the Religious Society of Friends or “Quaker”) this past First Day, I was visited by the word, listen. This is not a bit surprising as I am very much aware of listening as a ministry. Today, however, as I was speaking with my therapist I mentioned that something was… yes! I believe it was My Word! SACROSANCT!
My word for 2017 is EMERGE.
Other years it has been a struggle to receive my word.
This year it hammered the door down, before I barely got started !!
I want to emerge like a bright coloured light, out of the snow –
making beauty in any weather.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9afd8414dab82deee8bc7be5b9cee1d739b0ba34f3155f3b20237301006d2a4e.jpg
Lovely Bev!
thanks, Lynne !
Thanks, Lynne – (I’m kind of late on the thanks there! ) I’m doing my usual of taking on and in too much and can’t keep track or keep up !!! sigh. ;)
open small doors for greater spaces