Throughout the month of December, I’ll be participating in #reverb12: celebrating the successes of 2012, honoring the challenges of 2012, and planting the seeds for a rich and rewarding 2013. December is the perfect time to reflect on the year that has passed and start to manifest dreams for the new year.
Day 22 – What was the greatest gift you received in 2012? What was the greatest gift you gave? What do you intend to give yourself in 2013?
I feel like so many of my posts are about weight loss, but since that’s the #1 goal I have in my life, it seems natural that it will be a central focus. The best gift I received in 2012 is definitely when my parents loaned me the money for Jenny Craig. Being on that program, and then being able to apply it on my own using Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice, and other prepared meals, has transformed my belief that I will make it to my weight loss goals.
The greatest gift I gave was probably the support that I offered my friend Ani as she struggled with a really terrible situation she was going through at work. She and I spent hours together in my backyard as our dogs played and she shared the gritty details of the turmoil she was dealing with. At times I felt helpless because I couldn’t do much to help her, but I do think that sometimes just listening and being there to offer advice is more than enough to make a difference.
I intend to give myself the gift of qualifying for WLS in 2013. It’s a gift that is way past overdue. It’s time.
Bella on the Beach 
As to the second part, I think you’re totally right — I also sometimes wish I could offer concrete help to friends, but often, just listening is so valuable. Work drama is miserable, hope you’re able to help her get through it. I like your gift to yourself too!
It was so nice for your parents to help, and even nicer that you helped out a friend of yours. Having a friend to listen is priceless.