At the beginning of every year, I try to find a word that I’ll use to epitomize my upcoming year or a word that I’ll use to model during the year. My word for this year was contentment.
I have to admit, I got multiple opportunities to put my money where my mouth is. There were days when contentment came easily, but other days, I’m not going to lie … it was hard. Sometimes harder than hard. Despite the struggles, I’m glad I picked that word for 2013. While it was hard sometimes (who’s life isn’t?), it gave me opportunities to live intentionally despite everything, to exercise tenacity, to cement my faith further, to recognize the things, habits and people who’ve added positive value to my life and those that did not. This year I let go some of the things that were not working for me and I intend to continue to do this in 2014. Contentment isn’t a destination, it’s not like a recipe — do this or that, add this or that — then you end up with an outcome. It’s an every day, intentional choice to remain content or seek contentment despite a person’s circumstances and that’s the biggest lesson I learned this year.
Although I didn’t do everything on the initial list, crafting played a big role in my getting through the stresses of the year. I didn’t do it every day, but I crafted more and with different mediums than I did in 2012. This year was a year that found me accepting things I couldn’t change (although some of those things did bring tears, frustration and some anger). I was able to simply my home, my academic life, and release some things emotionally. I feel like my year could be summed up like this:
And taking another shot is what I’m going to do in the new year. When I look back at the year, I’m even more encouraged that I’m on the right path. I’m excited to see what 2014 has to offer and teach me.
I hope your year has been the same way for you.
D'NALI 
