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
Engage. It’s been an intense year for me with many changes including the death of my dad. When I might be tempted to isolate, it’s often better for me to engage. Best blessings in the new year, y’all.
When Christine’s first email about Give Me a Word appeared in my in box, this is what popped in my head: “Oh yes, it’ll be
time to start looking for a word. My word is becoming.” Close email, move along – wait, what was that? My word is becoming? No long process, no winnowing, no reflection? But yes, my word is BECOMING, and the more I sit with it, the more right it feels. It speaks to being present while moving with inner and outer change, to learning and evolving, to flow. In 2017, I am becoming 70, which feels like a major life transition. And, please excuse any hubris, I remember reading once that a more accurate
translation of the Biblical “I Am That I Am,” “I Am What I Am’ would be “I Am What I Am Becoming.
This has been a year of trauma, pain, and unexpected transition. It occurs to me that I can face the future unknown as a new crisis or as an opportunity. One thing is pretty solid, though: I have the choice to throw off a lot of past “rules” and expectations and FINALLY just be myself. For that reason and more, my word shall be “blossom.” Thanks for the opportunity to think and feel that through!
The word that came to me was/is “flourish”. I have all the tools (and willingness) I need (for today) and it’s time for me to bloom, to step confidently in to all that I am.
My word is “behold”. It opens my heart and mind to see and treasure all that is around me. It points me to experience and welcome that which is new and unknown.
My word is “follow”. Most significantly, I am inspired this year to “follow the thread” with an open heart. This is my third year into retirement and I am still seeking “calling” and “purpose”.
My word is “voice” – something I am still struggling to claim, in both my creative work and everyday life, and need to use now more than ever.
My word is ‘warble’ – to sing softly with a succession of constantly changing notes. I want to celebrate this year, be open to new and changing songs within my life journey, but not in a rush and with a loud bang but gently – softly
My word is “sanctuary”. In one sense it is a longing for a refuge for me after a stressful 2016, and in another sense it is a call for me to be sanctuary for others. Sanctuary can also be seen as the church where I serve as a priest and in 2017 it also involves discerning in what sense I am being called to serve in a ‘sanctuary.’ The word chose me before I did the mini-retreat and continued to be confirmed as I did the steps.
Rectify – making right, amends, paying attention and hearing what has meaning to others and to me, waging peace