Skip to main content

Find Your Smile: REFLECT

#SoManyReasonsToSmile2020


“Look back so the view forward is even clearer.”


I think most people would agree that 2020 has been...well…

unexpected, unusual, destabilizing, uncomfortable, interesting and enriching.


In order to make sense of what has been a pretty strange year, 

I believe it is worth taking some time to reflect 

on what we have learned (or been reminded of) and how we have grown.



Below are some of my biggest takeaways from the last 12 months 

(*see previous posts for more details).


  1. There is so much to be grateful for and there is always a reason to smile;
  2. The best way to live life is through various types of experiences;
  3. Love your family, your friends and most of all love yourself;
  4. The choice is yours to control your response to whatever is happening;
  5. Be adaptable to change, embrace challenges and turn them into opportunities;
  6. Keep things in perspective;
  7. Keep an open-mind, listen to others stories and celebrate differences;
  8. Find the right people to have in your life simply by being yourself;
  9. Challenge yourself and allow yourself to grow;
  10. Find your inner strength to rise above difficult situations;
  11. Be yourself and stay true to your core values;
  12. Don't be afraid to invest in yourself because you're worth it;
  13. Reflect with the intent of moving forward.


“Whatever happened over this past year, be thankful for where it brought you.

Where you are is where you’re meant to be.”


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Mirror, Mirror

  “I could try to be just like you, but I wanna be like me - the girl in the mirror.” Have you ever looked at a picture of yourself and thought “YIKES!”? Of course you have! We all have! We can all get a little self-critical from time to time, can’t we? I’ll be honest, I don’t often love seeing pictures of myself, especially those really close up, like selfies. Every image seems to amplify my insecurities and highlight “ flaws ” that I wish would disappear. I’m a pretty simple girl—no make-up, no heels, just me as I am, and I find that the world often holds up a different standard of beauty for females, one that's heavily curated and polished. My negative thoughts can weigh heavily at times, and social media ( with all its’ filters ) only magnifies those feelings of self-doubt. Over the last year, I’ve taken a number of selfies or mirror pictures. Some were taken to capture moments during my solo trips, some were taken to track physical changes influenced by diet, training and r...

Fly Away

  “Until you spread your wings, you’ll never know how far you can fly.” For as long as I can remember, there has been a relentless pull within me; a desire to fly away, to explore beyond the boundaries of familiarity, and to immerse myself in the cultural richness of our world. It all started over 15 years ago with a pivotal moment: my first international trip to the Dominican Republic for humanitarian purposes. Little did I know then that this remarkable trip ( *along with teaching in a challenging multicultural school ) would set the stage for a life defined by adventure, discovery, and personal growth. Since that transformative experience, my life has been a whirlwind of movement and exploration. I've been blessed with the opportunity to experience living and working abroad, both in the UAE and in Vietnam, and along the way, I've had the privilege to traverse more than 40 countries, each offering its own unique blend of culture, history, landscape and perspective. Looking ...

The runner in me

“Mind over miles.” A few years back, I was all in. I was that person signing up for every race that came across my radar—10K’s, half-marathons, marathons—you name it. The thrill of crossing the finish line, the camaraderie at the starting line, the way the crowds cheered you on, it was all so energizing. I didn’t even need music to get through a run, even a whole 42km marathon, which, I know, sounds crazy to most people. But there I was, in my zone, taking it all in and doing something I enjoyed. I collected lots of medals and racked up plenty of podium finishes, but most importantly I had some memorable international races, and met tons of amazing people along the way. I discovered that running was a really accessible sport; all you needed was a pair of shoes and the will to go. I could literally show up to a race, put one foot in front of the other, and—boom—be part of a community of people all working toward the same goal. So, what happened? Why did I stop running? For me, it came d...