A new year, a new opportunity to turn our lives around; 2008 is a leap year, so we even get an extra day to do all those lovely things we enjoy doing (be rarely make the time for). I’m not sure about you, but this new year has been quite busy and productive so far for me. The question herein lies if all this progress is due to the rush of a new beginning or simply finally having “paid” all my “dues.”Philosophical contemplation aside, the January/February 2008 issue of Body+Soul arrived in my mailbox just a few days after this new year was rung in. Eager as usual, I read through it in less than 48 hours and am here to share its goodness with you.

Stay healthy all year long! This month, find easy tips on how to get more sleep, feel less stress, eat better, and more. Stay looking fresh all winter with our cold-weather skin survival guide and indoor workouts to keep your energy up. Plus, taste power-packed versions of your favorite soups.

New beginnings tend to make me think not only of all the good things I have accomplished, but also all the frustrations and challenges I have been through. Hindsight is 20/20 and now that these trying events have passed, it gives us all a chance to truly see what we have learned from the tribulations life throws at as. This is also the theme of the Reader to Reader section (page 18) of this Body+Soul issue. From financial stress and childhood afflictions to selfless giving and facing death, B+S readers share their tales of inner abundance openly and graciously. By visiting the Reader to Reader section online, you can read their stories and submit your own experiences with unexpected plenty.

“The secret to abundance lies in striking a balance between not enough and way too much.” Continuing the theme of simple pleasures and unexpected joy, Terri Trespicio’s feature titled “More Than Enough” (page 107) greets us with the previously mentioned quote. Battling between our societal desires to continually move up (and therefore bigger) and the basic enjoyment of a sunny morning, fresh muffin, or tender smile may not be as much of a challenge as we think.

[[ KEEP READING! THE REST OF THE REVIEW IS AT SUSTAINABLOG.ORG ]]