My word for 2013 is Carve, because instead of adding things to my life, or myself, I feel as though I need to take away things, and become deliberate about forming the patterns of my life. My mom asked me the other day how I intended on keeping things tidy. My response was, “Get rid of all the ‘STUFF!'” I have so much superfluous “stuff” in my life. When I moved to Los Angeles I donated and threw out bags and bags of clothing and fully functional things. I couldn’t fit them into my SUV so I had to get rid of them. Six months later, when I moved back home, I could barely fit everything into my SUV again! How did that happen in sixth months?! My favorite living conditions was when I stayed at a monastery retreat center for a week. I brought with me a few books, my bible, a journal, a small vase with a flower, a digital picture frame just enough clothes for the week, a tea cup..and that’s about it. I felt like I was in heaven! No computers, no phones. Just me, my God and a cup of tea.