Reflections: 2013 Redux
“Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” Brad Paisley
2013 Redux – Collage of Blank Sketchbooks with Brad Paisley quote
Before leaping into the new year, I’d like to revisit 2013; have a redux and review some of the challenges and successes I had. According to Google’s 2013 Zeitgeist/Trends, a lot of newsworthy events happened this year, from Nelson Mandela to Paul Walker’s death, Boston Marathon bombings, Tesla, Twerking, Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In to Zhi Gang Sha‘s Soul Healing Miracles, Beyonce, Miley, and Black Friday, Chinese New Year and movies galore. This year offered plenty of memories for all of us to share or hold.
For me, 2013 started on a good note. I had completed a full year of daily blogging in 2012 and I was gungho about continuing the blogging challenge. I’d made lots of new blog friends and was excited about my writing prospects… but things changed. To start the year, I had put together a list of 9 tips for a healthy year and set out to meet my goals. Join me as I reminisce, and lets take a brief look at what happened:
♥Set Achievable Goals/Resolutions – By April, my WP blogging went South as pressing personal and family matters took over in my life. I blogged minimally on my other blog – PK
♥Express Thanks/Gratitude Often – This is what sustained me throughout a rather difficult year and I remain grateful to my family, friends, and blog buddies who kept in touch and for all the lessons learned.
♥Stay Physically, Emotionally & Mentally Healthy – Despite some health challenges, I upped the ante in this area and added martial arts and hot yoga to my routine. Sometimes I took small steps and that was fine too.
♥Find a Mentor and/or a Workout Buddy – I found a few angels and a special mentor along the way. My gym buddies kept me going when I thought I couldn’t and I thank them all. The rest continue below.
“Each year’s regrets are envelopes in which messages of hope are found for the New Year.” John R. Dallas Jr.
An Antique envelope from 1906 with no regrets quote by John R Dallas, Jr
Even though 2013 held many surprises and re-calibration of my goals, I had to set aside any twinges of regret and be present for each day’s demands. Regrets hold us back and a review or redux, with hope thrown in, helps us move forward. I agree with John Dallas that regrets are best replaced with HOPE.
♥Visualize Goals & Act on them – I did and some of my goals changed while others had to be set aside. The best lesson I gained from this particular tip was – Stay Flexible and Trust
♥Celebrate life; Eat, Pray, & Love Abundantly – What became apparent is that when we celebrate the little things, hope increases, and the boulders become less burdensome.
♥Give Peace a chance – As within, so without. As I look back now, I recognize that even in the dark times, there were always pockets of quiet knowing and peace around me… and miracles happen
♥Perform Random acts of Kindness – I’ve always believed that helping others takes the edge off our own and helps us gain perspective. This remains true.
♥Don’t Give Up even if You Mess Up – We can change directions but quitting is not an option. I wrote every day even though I didn’t publish daily. I’m at peace with that.
In 2014, I will follow the beat of my own drum and do my best to keep up a sensible blogging schedule. All goals above remain attainable. What about you? Here’s to a productive and auspicious 2014!
Did you have an auspicious beginning to 2013? What are your plans for the last day of 2013? Do share? Thank you! 
♥Happy New Year!
Positive Motivation Tip: Reflect on what you’ve accomplished or missed and focus on doing better in the coming year. Try! ♥HAPPY NEW YEAR
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos form my Personal Collection
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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Great tips, Elizabeth. I’m resolving to make this my best year ever.
Happy New Year!
Those are wonderful tips, Eliz. And this post is the reason why I keep going back to your blog! Those are tips I will try to follow as well 🙂
Sensible and sustainable tips, Elizabeth. A few I need to work on. 🙂
I’m so glad we stayed in touch, and even happier that you’re back to blogging. Every day is way too much, for me, but if you feel the need DO IT. Just know we’ll be here, even if you blog less.
xob
It’s good to see that you’ve come through it all, Elizabeth. It is also really good to see you back in the Blogosphere.
Wonderful tips! Cheers to the coming year!
I had a rather not so great last six months myself. I’ve kept blogging but my heart hasn’t fully been there as it has been so hard dealing with my fathers cancer. Sometimes life gets tough but we do endure. But not without changing a bit.
Inspirational and fabulous as always. Be well and enjoy an incredible 365.
Though there so many calamities that had happened in 2013, we feel so blessed still. I have learned not to expect too much but just do the works and trust God that all our heart’s desires will come true. And He is just so good. Happy New Year!
We all have our ups and downs. It’s good to reassess ourselves now and again.
Happy New Year!
I spent most of 2013 pregnant and now I am going to work hard to get back in shape and lose the weight I gained in 2012. 🙂 Still, despite everything that has gone on the past two years, there is a lot to be thankful for and happy about!
2013 was an up and down but it taught me a lot. I have a lot more focus and determination for 2014. It is so important to constantly reassess our goals and lives monthly
At the start of 2013, my goal was to simply get through it. We did with flying colors and a beautiful start to 2014. I am choosing to stay focused this year on a single goal which reaches into all facets of my life.
I love how you address the whole not being perfect thing, with encouraging others to get back on track if they “fall off the horse” so to speak. Wonderful post.
Last year was a tough one for me personally. I ended this year though with a lot of news. I decided this year I don’t need to look back at where I failed or what I did. I need to look foward and just try to go up. If I fall, I need to get up. Thank you for the inspiration! Happy 2014!
Very inspirational thoughts! I had a rough year in 2013, but I made a decision this year not to look backwards on what I haven’t accomplished. Instead I am just going to move forward. Thanks for the inspiration, and happy 2014!
These are brilliant tips; last year wasn’t so wonderful for us and so we are hoping for a better 2014 with our newest little one on the way. I’m going to take time to absorb your tips and see if there is anything we can do to improve our chances of a good year!
Hope you have a terrific 2014! My 2013 was quite a year, mostly filled with sadness but also with new beginninsgs.
I hope this year treats me a bit better and lets me breath a little.
Wonderful tips elizabeth! I want to focus more on being healthier mentally & physically this year. Hopefully 2014 will be a better year for me! 🙂
These are really great tips. I’m definitely doing my best to give peace a chance. I think it would be truly great for my well-being.
I celebrated the last day of the year by attending my friend’s birthday party. The first day of the new year I spent recovering from the celebration and then I spent several hours volunteering for a local animal shelter. My goal for the year is simple: enjoy it.
I really like your quote from John Dallas Jr. What a beautiful turn around from a negative place to one of hope and promise. Best of luck in 2014.
Nice post to read.
I am seeking peace for 2014
Wish you have a very Happy New Year.. Great tips .. I need to work on some of them
Thanks for sharing
I am definitely attempting to do more RAK this year. Thanks for your reminder that we should do more of that not for the other person but for our own self happiness!
Happy New Year. Enjoy 2014.
This is good to see you are able to review and evaluate 2013 before you planned 2014 in so smart manners. My blessings and good luck wish is there for an amazingly great year ahead for you.
2013 was a so-so-year for me. I changed employers three times. The last one is still the company I am currently working for. My family had all sorts of health issues and we somehow got through. This 2014, I will be starting the year right and take care of myself. I will write more articles, I will try to get into a paid blogging site, I will strive to be more financially independent. “The only constant thing in the world is change.”
2013 was not a good year but not a bad year for me. I’m looking forward to 2014 though! I’ve been setting goals for my blog this year and I love the goals that you have set!
I hope 2014 will be a good year!!!
Wonderful tips! belated Happy new year and hopefully 2014 is a good year for everyone of us!
It is my goal to be fit and healthy this year. I also hope for more blogging opps so I can share my blessings. A career growth will be nice to achieve as well.
Great tips here Elizabeth. Last year was good for me, blogging wise and achieving my goals towards getting fit. I hope that this year would be good too.
Awesome quote there Eliz. It’s indeed another 365 blank pages to look forward to.
Another great tips from you Sis! We always aim to do better and with enough discipline and determination, we will succeed! 🙂 Good Luck to 2014. Cheers! 🙂
Thanks for sharing these wonderful quotes and tips! Day1 of my 2014 was awesome, I do hope my whole year will be that great as well, but of course hard work and motivation are musts!
You had a good year, Eliz. I think that what is important is that we learn from our experiences and use these realizations to move forward.
These are wonderful tips, sis. Thanks for sharing these. Hope this year would be full of more blessings for you. 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration here. I think I am not yet late to start my 365 days of 2014
Setting attainable goals is the key but it is good to challenge yourself once in a while. Cheers to 2014!
I need somebody to motivate me to work out!
Your posts are always motivating and inspiring, Eliz. In my case, I tend to take each day as a fresh page, but I don’t really see a year as an entire book. Maybe I should try that perspective!
This was a year of great reflection and decisions for me. I am happy to look back through this post and see that I was not alone. Namaste
Namaste!