Over dinner on New Year’s Eve, I asked everyone what was their highlight of the year. Travel seemed to be the top pick as well as adventure. For my husband and I (we were not allowed to pick our wedding), it was a trip to Belize and our dives that became our highlights.
Thinking back on our trip and adventures reminds me of how blessed our lives have been and, also how important it is to recognize the lessons in all experiences. In Belize, the value of giving back became embedded. Our group delivered much needed school supplies and sports equipment to one of the village schools.
Since experiencing that, we have decided to do something similar every time we travel abroad. Locally, I volunteer my time at a crisis nursery.
Lesson learned: Even a small act of kindness has great effect.
Our dives reminded me of the fragility of our coral reef systems and the real dangers associated with diving. On a dive at Point Lobos, I learned how to stay calm and collected when I became entangled in kelp under the murky waters. Despite being low on oxygen, I talked myself through the kelp web and found the dive master and my dive partner.
Lesson learned: Take a breath. Calm yourself. Think through the challenge.
While we may not recognize these lessons during the moment, it is important to look back to see how we may apply them going forward. We often lose sight of them as we get caught up in the moment. For instance, when it comes to our health, we tend to view it through rose colored glasses. I wondered if I, too, were viewing WellJourn through rose colored glasses.
WellJourn is a little over a year old and started off modestly; however, it was only a few months old when we saw a great spike and what would become our best months. After, it went back to progressing at a slower than normal pace.
Looking back on our tops posts for 2011, it appears our recipes have been more popular than the articles. Also, there has been a lack of consistency — and we all like routine, dependability.
Our 2012 goal is to have a positive impact and foster community.
We will also focus on finding a consistent routine, one that can be depended upon. I am pretty excited as I look ahead and hope you will join us as we try new things ;).
In the meantime, the top 11 posts for 2011 are below.
- Recipe: Zucchini Corn & Black Bean Salad w/Lime Flax Dressing
- Weekly Recipe – Avocado Wasabi Deviled Eggs
- Which is healthier: a sweet potato or a yam?
- Yellow, blue or green – which artificial sweetener is better?
- Do you know the difference between tiredness and fatigue?
- Weekly Recipe – Eggplant Spinach Lasagna Curls
- 3 GREAT things about carbs and why you need them
- Antimicrobial resistance and why you should care?
- Weekly Recipe – Blueberry Lemon Curd & Yogurt Tart
- Weekly Recipe – Stuffed Baked Apples
- Baby dreaming? Mamas-to-be and Papas-to-be need folate, too!
Luke says
Here are my top two:
Avocado Wasabi Deviled Eggs – because it is unique and very delicious
3 GREAT things about carbs and why you need them – because carbs have been given a bad rap over the last few years and people need to know that not all carbs are equal.
Janene says
What wonderful lessons, as well as goals. Like you, my highlight was also a trip I took with my family to Florida. We finally went the non-Disney route and, my, what an adventure we had. And we did it together, which made it more special.
Have a fantastic 2012!
Randy says
http://wp.me/p1tgKB-1m
Thank you for sending me the post through stumbleupon. I enjoy your information on wellness and great content on nutrition. I have included you in by blogs to follow on my Personal Wellness Platform at WellEvolvEdU. have a happy 2012.
Tabitha says
Thanks Janene! The non-disney route? Do share, please. Did you avoid theme parks all together? 2012 is shaping up to be another year filled with trips…albeit domestic. We are hoping to make it down to Death Valley in the Spring for the wildflower bloom but our winter has been dry so far. Hoping for some rain and snow!
Tabitha says
Thank you Randy! A great 2012 to you as well!
Janene says
We hit Dolphin Cove, Sea World, and Aqautica in the Orlando area, as well Busch Gardens, Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach and St. Augustine. Wow! It was wonderful with little stress. One night, however, we went to Downtown Disney. It was elbow-to-elbow — not a suprise. Death Valley in the Spring sounds WONDERFUL. Here’s hoping for some rain so those flowers come out!