Woooweee! 2013 had a lot going on, didn’t it? If I could name it anything, I think I’d call it “The Year of Health & Wellness.” But beyond the obvious health issues we experienced, I really did learn some lessons I plan to take with me into 2014. And because just maybe they can benefit you, I’m sharing. So…here we go!!!

1. Eating right is important. It really is. I started juicing this year and am very happy about. In 2014 though, I need to take it to the next level and combine eating right with exercise. Chrystal blogs often about her battle with the #fatdemon and it is real. Oh yes, it is real, and it knows where you live, where you shop, and what you order in restaurants.

2. There is a place in this world for the acceptance and promotion of natural wellness. Traditional medicine and homeopathic remedies both have a place in the world, and in my household. From the thyroid cancer to the epilepsy, we have experienced the benefits of both approaches, and often it’s been the homeopathic approaches that caught the ailments first.

3. Everyone needs a health advocate. Sometimes that advocate is you, for you. I think our society believes that doctors know everything. And they do know a lot. They are human, and sometimes the xrays, blood tests, and the lab work don’t reveal it all. That being said, we need to step up and do some research, advocate for treatment options, get a second opinion when necessary, and make sure we have appropriate health insurance coverage. Be a health advocate. For you, for your family, and for anyone who asks.

4. A cancer diagnosis does not equal death. I don’t care what kind of cancer it is. Cancer is bad, but it is not a death warrant. We should not give it the power as such.

5. Friends who have a cancer diagnosis need you to believe #4. No matter what kind of cancer it is. If you can’t get to a place where you believe it, pray about it.

6. Know who your people are. Love them without limits. We get one life on this earth to live, share, laugh and love through. Decide who your people are and love them. Just love them unconditionally, without limits, judgement, and what ifs. Love them.

7. Create the bucket list. Start doing things on it. My flash mob experience from last summer is still with me today. I didn’t realize that doing one thing on the bucket list would make me feel so good…and sexy. (I know that flash mob was in church…you just never know where you’ll find your sexy.)

8. Boundaries are okay. They are better than okay. They are necessary. If you don’t believe me, read the book by Henry Cloud.

9. Stop apologizing. I originally got this notion when my friend Cathy and I were talking about entertaining mishaps and how we often want to apologize to our guests for this or that. Then I started listening to my kids, who tend to apologize for everything they do that they are not supposed to do. Until I noticed they were apologizing for the same things over and over and over again. So my thought is this, if you make a mistake and are genuinely sorry, apologize ONCE. Then move to the next step of making it right. If that mistake is painful because it is about your perfectionism, and no one was hurt, then you don’t need to apologize the one time. Move past it.

10. Find your yellow. Do not stop, pass go, or anything else. FIND. YOUR. YELLOW. NOW. In 2013 I rediscovered my love for writing. I also accepted the fact that I love my job, even if I don’t make a lot of money. I am in the yellow zone when I am writing or planning my writing or working at the college or planning my work at the college. My goal is to fill more of my life with the yellow and less of anything else.

What did you learn in 2013?