#Reverb12, Day 31: Where Are You Finishing?

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 31:Where Are You Finishing?

Take a moment to yourself, somewhere quiet. Take a deep breath, and if you have the time/space/inclination do something that has significance for you e.g. light a candle, brew a pot of your favorite tea, play your favorite music, whatever. Think back to where you were all those moons ago, on 1 December when you started #reverb12. All the way back then, I asked: “How are you starting?” Now, I am not going to ask you “Where are you finishing?” because this is not the end. What I want to ask is, “Where are you now?”. You have spent a month honoring everything that has brought you to this place: the highs, the lows, the messy middles, the exuberant rainbows, the turbulent storms, the fresh strawberries dipped in dark chocolate, the too-tight jeans, the unexpected windfalls, the toddler tantrums (theirs or yours!), all of it. You have thanked each end every one of these things for the things they have taught you and brought you, and fully know that they reside benignly in your physical, emotional and spiritual being. You know know that while they brought you here and will always be with you, there is no reason for them to hold you back any longer. You are standing where you are, all that you are, splendidly imperfect and right in the middle of this messy delicious life. Take another deep breath. Now quickly and without thinking too much about it, finish these five sentences:

2013 is going to be MY YEAR because… I am worth it.  I have a destiny to fulfill and it’s just waiting for me.

In 2013, I am going to… finally achieve my weight loss goals.

In 2013, I am going to feel…strong, accomplished, and content.

In 2013, I am not going to…give up.

In December 2013, I am going to look back and say…What an amazing year! I turned my life around and REALLY started living the life I was meant to have all along.

Happy New Year, everyone!!!  I can’t wait to see what 2013 brings for all of us.

 

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#Reverb12, Day 30: What Can You Celebrate NOW?

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 30 – Often we see our life as a humongous journey, and we believe that not only have we not arrived at our far away desired destination, but we also think we must accomplish x, y, and z, before we can declare with satisfaction that we are THERE.

For a moment, take a close look at who you are NOW. See what you can declare.
Merge the past, present, and future into one big ARRIVAL.
Describe joyously and in great celebration the BEING that you ARE.

(If you like, try writing this in third person as if you were a news reporter and this article about you is appearing in a publication you love and respect). I love the way this sums up all we have been doing over the past month. All this soul-searching has been bringing us to this very place that Ruth so beautifully celebrates: exactly where we are, right now.

I am a passionate person who lives life with intensity.

I feel things deeply.

I love with my whole heart.

I am a fighter.

I am steadfast in my PURSUITS.

I am intelligent and superficial and funny and serious.

I am a lover of writing – my own, but more importantly the words of others.

I am a dog lover, especially my wonderful Sofi.

I am a true friend whose loyalty knows no bounds.  I will  be there through everything for those I love.

My life isn’t perfect, but it’s perfect for me.  I am lucky and blessed and thankful for all that I have and all that I am, right here and now.

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#Reverb12, Day 29: Have You Heard Your Word?

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 29 – What word did you select to be your traveling companion in 2012? What gifts did this word bring? What word will you choose to guide you through 2013? What do you hope it will bring into your life?

Every year I choose a mantra – a word or phrase that I use to motivate me through the tough times and helps me remember what I’m striving for.

In 2012 that word was RELEASE.  I wanted to release

…weight

…control

…frustration

…fear

…worry

…excuses

…stress

…guilt

and I did a great job of all of it, especially control, stress, and frustration.

This year I’ve been spending quite a bit of time thinking about what my new mantra was going to be, and after careful consideration, I’ve decided on REFRESH.

REFRESH means so many things: recreate, rejuvenate, exhilarate, change.  Each of these will take on a special meaning in my life in 2013.

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#Reverb12, Day 28: Overcoming Your Fears?

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 28 – Think of three things that daunted you in 2012: how are you going to work towards overcoming them in 2013?

There is very little in life that daunts me.  I’m never intimidated by people, no matter who they are or what position they hold.  I see most situations, even new and challenging ones, as opportunities.  I consider myself a fearless badass, if you really want to know the truth.  (Did anyone catch that “Holden-esque” phrase?)

The only thing that scares me is that tiny voice inside my head that crops up when I start doubting my ability to lose weight and reach my goals.  Sometimes that little voice rages loudly, other times her whisper is so hushed that I barely hear her.  Not achieving my dreams is truly terrifying to me, and that’s what keeps me persevering day after day, week after week, year after year, through self-imposed setbacks and challenges.

In 2013, I will battle daily to overcome this fear the best way possible – reaching my weight loss goals.

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#Reverb12, Day 27: How Will You Honor Your Creativity?

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 27 – How did you make time for creativity in 2012?
Looking back, is there one creative time or one particular creation that stands out for you? (Maybe you could share it here?) How will you continue (or start) making time and space for your creative passions in 2013?

I consider myself to be a really creative person, and that is shown most notably through this blog, the lessons I plan for my classes, and in the way I help students develop stories in journalism and layout ideas in yearbook.  The other way that I’ve really shown my creativity is in the way that I decorate my home.

In 2013, I’ll continue all of these things, but I’d also like to tackle a few more crafty pursuits.  I’ve seen several “want to do” craft ideas on Pinterest, including:

Motivation marbles

crochet

Jazzing up soup cans for a “wow” container, thanks to mosaic marbles.

Art journaling

2013 is going to be the year that I really tap into the creativity inside me that is waiting to bubble up to the surface.

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#Reverb12, Day 26: How Will You Make Time?

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 26 – How do you intend to carve out more time for the things that are the most important to you in 2013?

source

As much as I feel like my life is hectic and rushed, the truth is, compared to most people, my life is really leisurely.  Thanks to my job, I get done with work in the mid afternoon, allowing me the flexibility to complete everything that’s most important to me.  (Which is not to say that work doesn’t extend itself into my “off hours,” because it does, but the point is, I can be at home grading my my pjs if I want to.  Or I can be at a great coffee house, listening to funky music. I’m not tied to a desk).

So in 2013, I’m going to show more appreciation for the fact that my time is my own and I can choose exactly how I want to spend it.  I want to use time to my advantage this coming year so that I reach all of my goals and dreams.

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#Reverb12, Day 25: How Will You Be Vulnerable?

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 25 – How will you be vulnerable? The soft white underbelly, the flaw in the armor, the Achilles’ heel — weaknesses are what make us the most human, the most beautiful.  Next year, how will you tend to your vulnerabilities? How will you build them a shelter from the storm? How will you put them through physical therapy? How will you find a way to make them work to your advantage? 

This one is a fairly easy one for me, because I’m a blogger who writes with stark honesty.  On this blog, I lay it all on the table.  I don’t sugarcoat anything, including my flaws, faults, and vulnerabilities.  I also passionately celebrate my successes.  It’s all here for all to read, and I love it.

The biggest advantage to writing this blog is that it’s a creative outlet for me, but it’s also therapeutic. I’ve learned so much about myself and my journey, and I hope that I can help someone else who takes the time to read my words, too.

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#Reverb12, Day 24: Your Most Important Habit?

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 24 – What is the single most important habit you intend to cultivate in 2013?

The biggest habit I’d like to cultivate is not putting tasks off. This can be applied to so many things:

• working out
• putting away the clean laundry
• grading essays

So 2013 is going to be the year that I tackle things head on and I don’t put them off until tomorrow.

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#Reverb12, Day 23: What Will You Let Go Of?

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 23 – Name three excuses — stories you tell yourself that are holding you back — that you are going to let go of in 2013.

1. “I don’t have time to workout.” This one is the biggest excuse/lie I tell myself, and it’s certainly not true.  I’m single, no kids, and have a job that officially ends my day at 3pm.  I have the time, it’s just easier to watch t.v. or go online, or do a million other things instead.  That ends now.  More on this with my 2013 Goals post, coming soon.
2. “It’s okay if I eat ____, I’ll put in extra time at the gym tomorrow.”  Or some other sort of justification for giving into temptation.  I had a handle on this when I started Jenny Craig in September, because the plan allowed for an afternoon salty, crunchy snack and a nightly dessert.  I lost it a bit in December, but once this holiday madness is over, I’ll get back to it.
3. “I don’t need to spend time after school grading today, I’ll do it tomorrow.” I tend to do my grading in big bursts, which always leaves me feeling mentally and physically exhausted.  I know in my heart that if I spent 2 hours on my “B days,” and do a bit of grading every single day, I’d be so much more efficient.  Early in December I also started grading for a few hours on Saturdays, and it really made me feel organized. I definitely plan on carrying that over into 2013.

This was a great exercise for me, as I begin thinking about making so many positive changes in 2013.

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#Reverb12, Day 22: The Most Important Gift?

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.

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