Monday, May 30, 2011

We All Need Support Once In a While!!!

I am writing this from the love seat in my living room.  My foot is propped up on a pillow and my coffee is close at hand.  Surgery went well, the doctor fixed the tendon and I am in a half-cast until Wednesday, I go see the doctor and start finding out what I can and cannot do.  No weight on my foot is all I know right now but I will find out more this week.

This week's topic was specially designed with me in mind I think.  We are talking about support.  Probably what I have the most trouble with...asking for support.  I am not good at asking for support and I always want to push the envelope when it comes to "I'll just do it myself."  But when the doctor fixes the tendon in your foot and puts your foot in a cast that is not conducive to standing you learn how to ask for help.  Steve has put the word out that I am to listen and follow doctor's orders and he has enlisted a lot of you in that effort.  I am extremely fortunate to have Steve in my life.  He brought me home Friday and has pretty much regulated what medicine I am taking and the food that I am eating...I am lucky to have someone in my life who is willing to give up everything to make sure I am okay.

What is it about asking for support that stops us from asking?  And how do we know we are making a difference?  I came across this story and thought this is what it is all about:

The Starfish Story
Original Story by: Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I dont throw them back, they’ll die.”

Son, the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?  You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said “I made a difference for that one.”

We may not realize that we make a difference to others in our meeting room. But by sharing our successes and ideas, our struggles and challenges, or just be our presence, we make a difference to each other. Thanks for being here for each other for support.

If I gave you a bravo sticker to award to someone, to whom would you award it to and why?  Thinking outside of the meeting room, do you have a family member, friend or co-worker who is supportive?  How do they support you.  

Your challenge this week is to acknowledge and THANK someone who has helped you.

This week I would like to THANK all of you who have helped me through this crazy time.  

I was talking to my friend and she shared when she worked as a teacher there was a fellow teacher who always helped her.  She shared that she thanked the woman for all of her help and she gave Sharon this advice: “Always remember this: The gift you have been given…give to others!”  I really liked that.  You, dear reader do make a difference and you have an opportunity to pass on what you have learned and support other members each week.   Often, members don’t even realize how their sharing and comments impact members weekly.  Showing appreciation for those who support us is important and strengthens our support system.

I hope after reading this blog YOU will be inspired to share with your support team how much you appreciate their support and teamwork.

Since we won't be together this week, I thought I would share a poem with you...

Friends in this Room

You have a lot of friends
Diifferent ages, different names,
Different sizes, different heights,
Different weights and different frames

They understand your angst
When you step upon the scale
And don’t see what you wanted
So you feel it is a fail.

They understand your feelings
Of sadness and frustration
When you’ve gained a million pounds
On your seven day vacation.

They understand your need
To lose many pounds, or two
The process is the same
Each friend is going through.

And if your shirt and pants
Are the ones you always wear
They know a “weigh-in” outfit
When they see one. They don’t care.

So if you need a cheer,
Or ideas, or lift from gloom
Come back and get support…
From the people in this room.

WHO I AM MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

Until June 9th

Carol

1 comment:

  1. My sweet friend Carol...what an awewome post!! I am just around the corner from you up here in the Pines, and I too struggle with asking for support or even offering because I am always afraid of interrupting that other person's day and don't want to take away from whatever they are busy with. Please know that I am here if you need anything at all. Even if it is just to hang with you and chat. I hope you are healing quickly and I am glad that Steve is taking care of you (I wouldn't expect anything else from your soul mate!). I have missed two weeks of WW meetings and I know I need to get back. I will miss you at this week's meeting....I am honored to have you as part of my support team and I appreciate you in every way. HUGS HUGS!!!! Cheryl

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