11 Lessons of 11

Is it just me, or do the years keep getting better as we go? 2011 has been filled with travels, adventures, and plenty of good times. Along the way, I've learned some valuable lessons that I wanted to share as the year draws to an end.

11. Life is Simple- I was reminded of this truthful statement just recently in Disney World. I don't know if it was the carefree environment or the children everywhere, but there's a magic feeling in the air that makes you feel younger. Remember how simple life was as a kid? No bills, manageable responsibility, an emphasis on creativity. Well guess what? We can still have that (minus the whole "no bills" part)! A lot of our stress is self-inflicted. Overcommitting, setting outrageous standards, keeping up with the Joneses. Take a moment to to free up your schedule, reevaluate your goals, and reflect on changes that will simplify your life. Heck, maybe even watch a Disney movie in the process!

10. Take a Risk- I can hardly believe that last month I was prancing on stage in a tiny bikini, competing in a fitness competition. Running has always been my sport, but I learned that by stepping outside of my comfort zone, I could challenge and surprise myself. If I had not taken this risk, I would probably not have met so many wonderful new friends. I would have continued to pound the pavement alone, with the very same confidence and physique mile after mile. Although competitions are no where in my future, I gained so much value by exploring this hobby.

9. Do What You Want- Now that we're all ready to take risks, we should figure out what it is that we want and actually do it! This was the year that I found a job that I love and made the switch. There's nothing easy about turning in a resignation, learning a new specialty, or familiarizing yourself with all new surroundings. It certainly makes it easier when you're doing it for the right reason. My lifestyle is so much better now that I'm doing what I love!

8. Travel- Having a looser schedule has helped free up time to explore other places. I absolutely love to travel and have been lucky to visit San Francisco, Napa Valley, Destin, Boston, and Disney this year. I am easily impressed by the unique culture of each place I go and appreciative of the diversity that helps define this country. Perhaps I'll be hopping the pond in 2012...

7. Love- We can always love more. It's only natural to focus your love on the closest individuals in our lives. My love for my husband grows exponentially with each passing day. I love my family and friends dearly and work hard not to take them for granted. The feeling that comes from loving another personally drives me to love even more. I love engaging in friendly conversation with strangers, watching as a previously stressful, boring, or mundane moment fades away. I love to take my time in the nursing home, showering lonely patients with attention, encouragement, and a glimpse of hope. I love calling their families with updates on their condition, confident that my news of their loved one will provide a sense of relief. It's actually pretty easy to love one another, and it's a small investment that always returns.

6. Be Thankful For Friendship- Speaking of love, I am incredibly humbled to have some pretty wonderful friends in my life. My very best friends (or "besties" as we like to call each other) are just like sisters. Each girl brings so much to the table and I admire and look up to all of them. I'm so lucky to get to see most of my friends on a regular basis. I also love that even if it's been awhile, we can pick up right where we left off. I only see Anna 2-3 times a year, but it always feels just like yesterday that we were living together in Charlottesville. From the bottom of my heart I am forever grateful for my relationships and time spent with others.

5. Let loose- I'm slowly chipping away at my type A tendencies, thanks to the influence of my uber-laid back beau. I think 2011 was the year that I began to realize that it's ok to give up some control. Years of micromanaging my studies, setting high standards, and striving for the best had both rewarding and harmful effects. My type A tendencies help with efficiency and success but can also kick up anxiety in the process. I make a daily effort to give up the self-imposed "need" to have everything under control. When the house isn't tidy, Jarrett reassures me that it looks great. When I eat poorly, I cut myself some slack knowing that I follow a healthy lifestyle the majority of the time. Being too uptight is just as bad as being too laissez-faire. As with most things, striking a balance and finding moderation is the key to zen.

4. Make it count- These days I am rarely in the gym for more than 45 minutes. If I am, it's usually because I'm chatting away with fellow fitness fiends. Compared to my pre-Jillfit days, my workouts are not only shorter, but more efficient, more effective, and more entertaining. My days of hopping on the elliptical and cruising at a boring speed for an hour are long gone. These days I either lift, do cardio intervals, or a metabolic effect workout (which is the best of both worlds).

3. Love the Little Things- There are so many little moments, symbols, or pleasures that embellish an already wonderful life. I love being taken off guard by things that excite me, like seeing a random shooting star on the way home from work. I love the flavor of pumpkin in the fall, the smell of a wood stove, and the festive winter cups at Starbucks. I love browsing on Pinterest, reading updates on Facebook, and playing scrabble with my mom. I love when the worship team at church sings a song that speaks to my soul. These collective moments are so appreciated and absolutely warm my heart.

2. Get out the Glue Gun- Ok, ok... not literally. My guilty pleasure of 2011 has been the hours I've spent on Pinterest. For those fellow pinners, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I feel so accomplished on Pinterest, as if re-pinning pictures equates to my own success. I look to this site for inspiration, recipes, laughs, crafts, and more. There's no limit to human imagination, and this site is out to prove just that.

1. Be Positive- There's really not a better way to express this than through the words of Philipians 4:8- "Think about things that are PURE and LOVELY, dwell on the fine, good things in OTHERS, think about ALL you can praise God for and be GLAD about it." This is one of my favorite passages, one that I cling to whenever I catch myself stuck on negative thoughts. It's easy to be judgmental and critical. It's human nature to be unhappy with what we have... always wanting more. In a beautiful way, these words serve to remind us to stay pure in our thoughts and grateful for this wonderful journey through life.

Merry Christmas and CHEERS to the New Year!!