In ancient times, wise men and women fled out into the desert to find a place where they could be fully present to the divine 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 4, 2026 and you are automatically entered for the prize drawing (prizes listed below).
Read Christine’s book Give Me a Word: The Promise of an Ancient Practice to Guide Your Year for guidance and inspiration.
This book is designed to help you contemplate what holiness is birthing within your soul. Each day there are different practices offered to inspire, challenge, and support you in listening for the word that wants to be spoken to your heart.
The practices are not about resolutions or goal setting, they are not about achieving more in the new year or accomplishing tasks or goals. They are about listening for what is calling to you in a particular season of life. They ask us to trust a greater wisdom at work in the world than our own egos.
Through this book, you will be invited to release your thinking mind and enter into a space of receiving.
WIN A PRIZE – RANDOM DRAWING GIVEAWAY ENTER BY JANUARY 4th!
- One person wins a space in the mini-retreat Brigid’s Day (Imbolc) Deep Rest Retreat ~ Emergence with Christine Valters Paintner, Deirdre Ní Chinnéide, and Nóirín Ní Riain
- Two people win a space in our upcoming Way of the Monk, Path of the Artist retreat
- Two people win a space each in their choice of Self-Study retreats
- Three people win a Dancing Monk Medallion
Please share your word with us in the comments below
(and it would be wonderful if you included a sentence about what it means for you)
Subscribe to the Abbey of the Arts newsletter to receive ongoing inspiration in your in-box. You can choose daily, weekly, or monthly. Share the love with others and invite them to participate. Then stay tuned – on January 11th we will announce the prize winners!
270 Responses
My word for 2026 is “rooted.” I believe my task for the year is to joyfully anchor myself, my relationships, and my part of the community around me so that in times of chaos my deep roots will steady and support me and those around me.
My word is WONDER…. Release having all the answers, be curious, wait for what arises… and be on the lookout daily for opportunities that evoke wonder…
My word for 2026 is truth. It landed on my heart with a huge thud shortly before we began the “Give Me a Word” retreat! This has never happened before. At first I held it at a distance to ensure it was “my word.” But with synchronicity after synchronicity I finally accepted its presence. It has been life changing in ways I never imagined.
My word is “stability and rest”. Specifically to give my central nervous system stability (routine and sameness) and the rest in that stability. Supported by one of my favorite scripture verses, “in return and rest you shall be saved”. 2025 was hectic, to say the least, in the universe and included a lot of personal changes. This word, indeed, comes from the depths of my spirit from the Spirit.
My word is AWE. If each of us exhibited more awe, the world might be kinder and gentler.
CURIOUS
This year I need to cultivate curiosity. The world has forced me to a lonely inward place. Safe, but not growing and becoming. This year I’ll like to be curious.
This was the first word that came – Cave- which I thought was strange and couldn’t be my word but afterwards that word kept appearing. I have sat with it and it is perfect for me at this time- It reminds me to be present; Be still; listen with intention; let go of distractions and enlarge my focus on love!
My word is “flow.” As in let things happen organically ie “go with the flow.” And also as in “let the tears flow.”
My word is “yes”. Looking forward to how Holy Spirit moves within me so I can live out this sacred life I’ve been given.
Try softer, with tenderness.