mnmommaof2
Surround yourself with positivity.
Mar 11, 2013
The title says it all. One of the most important lessons I have learned through this journey is to surround myself with others who support and encourage me to do things I never thought possible. This post is all about those people who continue to inspire me.
My first post here on OH was asking if I was nuts to consider self-pay surgery. The most influential response I received was from a gentleman inviting me to join him that next morning at a local support group. I said I would show up but in truth, I was still debating. I was grateful for the invite and I knew it would be a good place to hear from others first hand what life was like post-op, but it required me to step way out of my comfort zone and introduce myself to a bunch of strangers. I hardly slept that night, tossing and turning all while thinking of the meeting in the morning. I think I must have talked myself into and out of it a hundred times. In the end I decided to go. I was a bundle of nerves and probably looked terrified. I showed up a bit early and scanned the room clutching my coffee and approached the group. A few hours later I thanked them for letting me crash their party and one of them responded... it's your party now too. That morning I discovered just how welcoming the WLS community could be and the group has been an important part of my life ever since.
I started showing up every week asking millions of questions and marveling at their success stories. They shared with me the triumphs and tribulations of their new lives. I once asked them if they had any regrets about surgery or things they would do differently and the only answer they could come up with was that they wished they had done it sooner. I began to think of this group as my friends. They celebrated with me when I finally scheduled surgery and have been my own personal cheering section ever since. I watch and see the changes in all of us week after week and can't help but to be inspired to push myself harder and further towards my goals. I started a couch to 5k program this week and guess who was the first to pat me on the back?? My group. I felt discouraged and started doubting my decisions and guess who helped me see how far I have come?? Yep! The same group of fantastic people...
I have been so blessed to have so many wonderful WLS peeps surrounding me and I often wonder how different this journey would be if I had never stepped out of my comfort zone to meet them.
To those who are in the group who read this... Thank you... Thank you... Thank you for showing up every week and making this group what it is.
To the Minnesotans out there who might chance across this blog ... come join us!
