Happy New Year!!!! Tomorrow is the start of a new year, 2013. I’m so excited about creating my best year yet! Every time I look at this piece of art that one of my sisters made for me last Christmas, I remind myself of all the things I can do if I put my mind to it. In 2013, I want to keep following my passion, and keep dreaming. I’m truly grateful for this wonderful gift. Thank you.
(c) Arianna’s Random Thoughts
On December 31st, I always take time to reflect on the events of the past year and the lessons I have learned. Through the ups and the downs, I have experienced so much this last year and I would love to share 12 important lessons with you. 2012 was an amazing year for me. Let me share with you my reasons why through the top 12 lessons:
1. I found the strength to dig deep and share my authentic voice. In the past, I had been holding back and was too scared to speak from the heart. This year I did just that and found the power of my voice.
2. Once I started listening to my inner voice, I started to see beauty everywhere and empowered others through sharing my random thoughts (i.e., my life story). As a result, I ended up getting recognized as See Beautiful’s Woman of the Month and Nourishing the Soul’s Best Body Image Blogger 2012.
3. Your attitude controls the situation. You can be in the best or worst place; it’s your attitude that counts. Your experience is what you make it. I choose to be happy! Despite the rain, I choose to shine. I choose to PERSEVERE despite what circumstances I am dealt!
4. Being by the water and dipping your toes in the ocean is essential to your health. My sister and I did this every chance we could while travelling through Britain and Ireland this past summer. Research from the European Centre for Environment and Human Health confirms that relaxing at the water’s edge is more relaxing for your psyche than passing the day in other natural settings. Reflecting on the beach last year taught me to STAND FIRM AGAINST THE TIDE!
5. Travel is so important in one’s life. You get out of your comfort zone and go explore. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”- Mark Twain. I learned important lessons through two separate trips this year: one to Hawaii and the other through Britain and Ireland.
6. Through my travels, I learned: It’s the people that make the experience! I think we had the best tour group ever! In fact, I know we did. Our group started off as strangers and ended up as a tour family! That is why I ask others to be part of my “Profiles of Perseverance” series as I want to hear from others and create a community. Thank you to all my readers and contributors for taking part in this adventure!
7. There will be hardship and loss in your life but don’t let those stop you from getting close to people. I lost a dear friend and my family pets (dog and cat) this year (all due to cancer) - I miss them dearly but I’m glad I made every moment with them count!
8. I learned about the importance of role models in your life. You need people to help encourage you on your path.
9. Say what you need to say! Life is short. Tell people how you feel about them.
10. Not everyone will be nice to you. This year, I finally learned how to cope with criticism.
11. Despite all the negativity in the world, I truly believe in the power of kindness and cherish it more than anything.
12. Persist through the fog and find the sunshine! We had fog or rain many times on the trip, but it didn’t last long. Share your story with the world. I have finished writing my book - and I plan on sharing it with you mid January. What a great way to start the new year!
(c) Arianna’s Random Thoughts
What are the lessons you learned in 2012? I would love to hear them. All the Best in 2013!!!! Let’s encourage each other to make this our best year yet!
Great lessons for life!
Scott
thanks Scott! Happy New Year! So glad I connected with you this year
Lessons learnt, big topic.So many important lessons learnt, most important I think is attitude, and perspective, change this and EVERYTHING looks different, hard times become challenges and chances to learn and grow. I’ve learnt about self care is so important as if you don’t look after you, you can’t be there for those you care about. I think also EVERYONE has a story and all humans can learn from each other. As for tools, probably that in times of stress and difficulty, we are humans, we are not islands, we need to stay CONNECTED to others.Also, think you can or you can’t, YOU ARE CORRECT! Think about the way you speak to yourself, stay negative, and you will feel bad, affirmations change brain anatomy! There is evidence in the power in positive thinking! Stay true to your heart, honor those you have lost, set SMART goals, and keep moving forward. One thing that we do know is life is always changing, it doesn’t stay the same. One thing that’s changed my attitude is being grateful! As bad as I may feel, there is someone suffering more, and someone doing better,it’s a matter of balance! So it’s a year of recovery, lessons in getting well! 2013 is time to get out there and USE all this information, one thing I need to learn more is intelligence is one thing, it;s the ability to USE what you know, hence CAN YOU WALK THE TALK?. That;s my challenge! Happy New Year, Love your Blog, it’s a tell tale of the inspirational person YOU ARE!!.
Penny – you and I think so alike. Thanks for reaching out and connecting – so glad you did. You are wise and inspire me too! Ps – I’m writing a book which is coming out mid Jan. I’m doing a giveaway – I’ll keep you posted. I love the line you said – its so important can you walk the talk? So true. Its important to act out what you say. Happy New Year. Looking forward to connecting with you more this year. We can continue to inspire each other
Thank you, lots of the lessons have been explained so well by you, I hope I can work hard to give the hope I’ve been given by you and all those who have stood by me as I’ve been recovering from my ed, and dealing with PTSD, again it will be my attitude and putting this into PRACTICE, challenge, am positive about that.. hope to just keep growing and learning! So glad I found you, in all this blog world!
So glad I found you too! I’m so proud of you and all the work you are putting into leading a healthy and positive life. We can encourage each other
So much to share. A soul searching year!
associating with likeminded people is essential in my mind; certainly not with anyone who makes you feel bad about yourself.
It certainly has been! Thanks for the comment. Totally agree it is essential. Looking forward to connecting with you.