Reflections
As we rapidly approach the end of 2018, I paused and thought. If I had to choose one word to describe my year, what would it be? That word would be “Victorious.” 2017 was a beast of year where everything that could possibly go wrong, went wrong. I spent 2018 picking myself up and regrouping, rebuilding and restructuring many things in my life.
I am not one to make resolutions, but I have a tradition where every New Years' Eve, I make a list of 6-7 goals that I want to achieve for the new year. I use this as my guide and work to accomplish them.
It doesn't necessarily mean that I will accomplish them all, but I strive to every day. My most significant victory for 2018 was finally starting and continuing to take yoga lessons. That was on my list of goals for three years, and many things came into place that prevented me from doing that. I also finally finished my cookbook “Just Eat” which took two years to get done. According to my goal list, it should've been finished since 2017 and my second book about the journey of my Entrepreneurship should've been published in 2018. I had many setbacks, but I reminded myself that determination leads to success. I grew my company to a level that made me extremely happy, and I learned to say “NO” to what made me uncomfortable or would prevent me from gaining my success. That took a lot of courage, but I learned that sometimes, letting go of what makes us uncomfortable often leads to marvelous new experiences. People come and go in our lives for different reasons, some are meant to stay, and many are intended to go.
Along with our success, most of us have some failures too. Whether it was a goal not reached or just a missed opportunity, we need to take stock of why we did not succeed. Was it for lack of trying, or something else? Sometimes it’s even something out of our control, but usually, we can pinpoint where we went wrong.
While not completing my second book this year, it is an unaccomplished goal, and therefore something I need to think about as I plan my goals for next year. Why did I not accomplish (or even start) something that was important to me? Was it the lack of time (my usual excuse) or something more like fear? Whatever it is, I need to sort it out.
So as we close off 2018, I encourage you to set meaningful goals and work towards making them come true.
Thank you for being a part of my Blog. I hope I have inspired, encouraged and empowered you through my stories and experiences.
See you in 2019!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year,
Renate
Food
It’s the time of year for festive baking and cooking. Even with my busy schedule I take “time off” to bake traditional holiday cookies for my family. Here is my easy and simple sugar cookie recipe that you can make and enjoy baking with your family.
Fashion
https://www.aloette.com/
With the winter season upon us I thought I’d share my favorite skincare product - Aloette. I choose products that are not tested on animals and are made with natural and plant-based products. My regimen is face wash, mist, serum moisturizers, SPF makeup. Click the image to review their products.
Click here for some tips on protecting your skin during the cold season. :
Family
Tips to surviving the holidays and making happy memories.
Holidays are my favorite time of the year. This stems from growing up in a culture where we celebrated the holidays with much merriment and festivities. Now-a-days, it feels like a hassle and stressful time which is unfortunate because that is not what the season represents.
We all know that once Thanksgiving arrives, besides a time to be thankful for what we have it means the busiest time of year is staring us straight in the eyes.
If we thought our lives were overcrowded, unmanageable and running at the speed of light a week ago, we can expect that to increase within the next four weeks.
So what can we do as we sit and face the inevitable? We can take it in stride.
Here are a few of my tips to enjoy the season with less stress. While they may sound impossible at first, on second, third and fourth thought, they'll begin to settle in as items you can achieve.
1. Planning is very helpful! Write things down and do not try to achieve everything at once. That will create stress and anxiety.
2. Make gift giving simple. Remember the purpose of giving gifts is to show your thoughtfulness and love. When you keep it simple you will enjoy the shopping experience rather than expressing the feeling of just wanting to ‘get it over with’. Make a list of the gift recipients and ideas of what they like then when you set out to do your shopping you have an organized experience.
3. Create a holiday dinner menu, then write out your shopping list with ingredients and items you will need to make it. This could also be the start of a tradition family holiday dinner menu. For instance, in my family, I have created menus for all the major holidays and they have become traditions that have been passed on to my children. It gives me much joy to see them look forward to the dishes.
4. Make time to Take time - pause and enjoy the holiday decorations in stores, sit for a few minutes and savor a cup of holiday cheer without tuning into your phones or lap tops but rather engage your mind as shoppers go by with their treasures. Your mind and spirit will appreciate a simple 5 minutes break.
5. Discuss holiday plans with your spouse or family to include everyone with the preparations. Not only will this help getting things done, you will be nurturing your relationship with each other.
6. Do not aim for perfection! The holidays are about spending and enjoying time with friends and family. Do the best you can and make happy memories rather than striving for the perfect gift, the perfect outfit, the perfect gathering that ends with exhausting memories filled with tension.
The one thing we know for sure is that this time comes once a year. Yes, it may arrive too quickly and, for sure, it comes with a burden of responsibility. But the reality of where our lives have landed doesn't have to stop the magic. Have a wonderful season filled with joyous memories.