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January 1, 2012

20 Lessons from 2011

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Resolutions for the New Year? I have none. But I do have lessons from last year that I am carrying over to this one. If I must resolve to anything, it would be to not forget them and remember them as I venture into what I expect to be an exciting time for me and my family.

Time has a way of passing by so quickly. It’s so easy to forget so it’s important for me to write them down.

Most memorable lessons from 2011 for me are:

  1. I learned to better reject negativity and embrace love.
  2. I learned that opportunities are never really lost and that a “good” opportunity is relevant.
  3. I learned the value of quality in friendships and that quantity has very little to do with it.
  4. I learned to accept that I am not a follower – I learned there’s nothing wrong with that.
  5. I learned to ignore the chatter and trust my gut. Some of my best decisions came about this way.
  6. I learned that I can develop a better opinion about places, people, and things when I shut up about my own, shut out other people’s and just observe and listen.
  7. I learned that I don’t always have to share my opinion…no matter how strongly I feel it.
  8. I learned that I really love living in New Jersey (and that it doesn’t suddenly make me a NOT New Yorker) and that where I live is faster to get to than most boroughs of NY and yet still it terrifies people – I learned that those people are stupid.
  9. I learned to respond to the question “Are you going to be NJ City Mama now?” without throwing death darts from my eyes.
  10. I learned to laugh about it.
  11. I learned to take breaks and disconnect – I learned that I really, really love that.
  12. I learned that even some of the most well-read blogger have no clue and even not really all that liked, but no one will tell them. (I would, but see lesson #7).
  13. I learned that the least read blogger is usually the most interesting overall.
  14. I learned to eat smaller meals throughout the day and drink more water.
  15. I learned to tell my family and friends that I love them more.
  16. I learned that I hate attending conferences – I learned there’s nothing wrong with that.
  17. I learned the importance of flossing…after I learned I had the first cavity in my life.
  18. I learned that I really love being in a space where no one blogs or uses Twitter, at times more than I love being in the space with people who do.
  19. I learned that I am lucky in so many ways. This lesson keeps me grounded and grateful on a daily basis.
  20. I learned that even at this age I still have so much to learn.

Happy New Year!

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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6 Comments
  • Alma Pacheco
    January 1, 2012

    Carol,

    This is a great list of all the things you've learned. The NJ comment made me laugh. Congrats on getting voted in the 100 mom blog, that is a great honor. You were the first blog I started following. I found you on Twitter. It open a whole new world for me. Now i have started one on my own. I recently lost my job and found more time to spend with my kids and alone. I started it less than a month and i realized i have a lot to learn. I hope to write a list like this this time next year. You are a great writer and have a beautiful family. Feliz Año Nuevo!!!

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    January 1, 2012

    That's wonderful Alma! Congrats on starting your blog, will definitely check it out. Thank you so much for your kind words and continued readership and support : ) Happy New Year to you as well!

    Reply
  • Elisa
    January 1, 2012

    Much as it happened every time we had conversations in real life (man, do I miss you!), this post made me nod, and smile, and sometimes laugh out loud (#12? True story :-)). Those are fabulous lessons, most of which I am still working on, myself 😉

    Happy New year, Bella! May this be the year that I manage to fly to NY and hopefully enjoy the pleasure of your company again!!

    Reply
  • cancan
    January 1, 2012

    thank you for being completely who you are this year.

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    January 1, 2012

    Thank you Elisa!!! I hope you do make it to this side of the world this year! Fingers and toes crossed : )

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    January 1, 2012

    Big hugs and love to you Cancan! xoxoxo

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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  • caincarol@gmail.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

I’ve passed through Penn Station more times than I’ve passed through Penn Station more times than I can count, usually with the same mindset: get in, get out, get going. But this time I wandered into the newer Moynihan Train Hall, and for a moment the city actually felt…generous.

Sunlight spills through the skylights, the space breathes in a way old Penn never did, and then you look up - like really look - and there they are: vibrant stained-glass break dancers floating overhead, created by Kehinde Wiley. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the brilliant artist behind President Obama’s official portrait.

Here, though, it’s not about presidents or formality. It’s about movement, street culture, and the energy that makes New York what it is. A reminder that art belongs everywhere, even above a busy train platform.

If you find yourself here, give yourself the gift of a slow minute to look up above the rush.

#NYCArt #KehindeWiley #MoynihanTrainHall #slowtravel
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#fingerlakes #upstateny #fingerlakesregion #lifeinflx
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Reminder that tomorrow has the potential to be a bit better, and more beautiful. 

#luna #novembermoon
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We headed to @burntrosewinebar, on Main St. in Penn Yan NY.

I absolutely love the aesthetics and vibes of this restaurant, owned by Rose Curry, a sommelier, and her husband, Chet Thompson, a classically-trained chef.

Their field-to-table, seasonal menu is elevated, eclectic, sophisticated, but also approachable and delicious. It celebrates the cultural flavors of Rose’s Mexican roots and features Chet’s culinary talent beautifully. 

If on the menu, you absolutely must try their Mole dusted burrata topped with toasted pepitas & pumpkin seed oil, and Chef’s Jammy Egg, which is a cured egg served sun-dried tomato and their house-made basil pesto. 

They have a wine list featuring the best of the Finger Lakes, though my absolute obsession is their spiced apple and caramel Mimosa! 

The entire experience is addicting…and if you can’t get enough, they also co-own the @the18thamendment.py  right next door on Main St., another example of the growing food scene in the Finger Lakes!

Reservations are highly recommended.

#fingerlakes #pennysnny #flxfoodie #flxeats #upstateny
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And thinking of what I have already accomplished, in the years I have lived so far, makes whatever were wasted moments feel smaller over time. And that feels lucky. 

I spend so much time capturing the joy of others and feel loved to have someone capture a moment in joy of me. Thanks, @travisjcain, for seeing me with so much love.
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🎃 Book your tix and time slot online (later times are the most popular). 
🎃 Park at a designated spot in Downtown Stockbridge and take a short bus ride to Naumkeag, a 44-room Gilded Age “cottage” with 8 acres of awe-inspiring natural beauty, including public gardens.
🎃 Tour the gardens, and through some indoor space to view over 1500 mums, carved displays, and more!
🎃 This is a family-friendly experience, and accessibility is limited, including for strollers and wheelchairs. 
🎃 On non-events occasions and depending on weather, the property is available for pre-booked tours. 
🎃 Missed Halloween? Book a tour of their Winter Lights holiday displays which kicks off end of November!

#berkshiresma #naumkeagpumpkinshow #stockbridgema @visittheberkshires #halloween

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