Long post.. but deep! lol. really wanted to share this.

Its odd how these minds of ours work, isn't it? i have been having a very rough past couple of weeks as far as mood goes. Just feeling down, and like I am ready to give up on some things at times. Today, one of the things I wondered if I should give up was running my live support group. Some times we have a great turn out, being a small group . Other times just one will show up in addition to myself and my daughter. The last support group meeting was one in which only one person showed up and only 2 the time before. I began to doubt myself and my ability to effectively run this group and maintain member interest. 

This afternoon, I did place a personal call to all members that i was able to reach, to ask how they were and remind them that I'd love to have them at our meeting tonight.

This evening we have a pretty good turn out. 4 came, aside from myself and my daughter. (that's only 2 less than the full group and is everyone i was able to reach by phone). Turns out these ladies have been struggling with a lot on the personal front, which kept them away. Death in the family of 2 members, and a car accident for one of those as well. The other struggling with major depression and self doubt and wanting to just hide away from the world.. All in all everyone was struggling with some kind of pain and depression and most of us there, including myself has been struggling with a deep case of the blah's.

The topic tonight that I chose was on "loving yourself". I had the group do an exercise where each person wrote a little comment to every member of the group on something they liked, loved or admired in the others, AND I also had them write something to themselves as well. This exercise was to help each other see the good things that we cannot always see in ourselves. It was a wonderful experience! After we gave our comments to the person they were written to, we took turns reading aloud, what the comments we received were.

 While reading the sweet comments of others, one member became teary eyed. She was blown away by the good things that the others saw in her. One of the ladies, that hardly ever smiles, was grinning ear to ear. there were giggles expressing how hard it was to accept the compliments, but also expressing the pleasure at seeing them. And ME... I made a discovery too, based on the comments I got.

I was told by many how they appreciate and love the way i care so much for them and their success. How easy i am to talk to. how kind I am. How my compassion and devotion to "the cause' is outstanding... Lets just say i was blown away too, and now realize I am not failing as a leader, i just have to realize that life does get in the way sometimes of people making it there.

When we were coming to a close, everyone was given a worksheet to take home, and asked to really think about it and spend some time on it. It asked 2 things, and required making a list of responses to it. ONE: What I love about myself TWO: How can I be more kind and loving to myself. We will go over these worksheets at our next regular meeting. meanwhile, we all decided that we would have a special get together between meetings, and have a bariatric friendly potluck of sorts, and just spend time getting to know each other more and developing friendship and relationships among us all.  AND we will have a guest of honor in attendance, whom everyone is looking forward to meeting! That would be YOU Kathy!

So.. now that I have written a book and maybe even bored you all to death if you have made it this far in reading.. lol.. It is time for me to go climb into my bed and snuggle with my pillow and look forward to awakening tomorrow feeling more optomistic and better about myself than I have in weeks.

Thanks Patrice.  I know you help me here on OH.  Sorry I don't live close enough to actually, physically be in your support group.

Thank you! I wish you did too. I used to live in Ohio, Northeast Ohio. Born and raised there.
Thanks for letting me know I make a difference. Hugs!

How inspiring!
Thank you for sharing this. We all need reminders on loving ourselves more.

I know I do.  It's so easy to get caught up in negative thinking and self doubt when we should be proud of the progress we made (no matter the size) and who we are as a person.

I know your post has me thinking... Do I love myself enough? I have always done for others, but since surgery I am doing for me.. and honestly, I could still do more for me..

Once again.. Thank You and I am learning to love myself more.

You are very welcome. I am glad this post helped you see that you deserve to be loved by not only others but yourself. Toomany of us don't love and accept ourselves, and it is time we learn we are absolutely loveable and good people, who are deserving of the same love and care we give to those around us.

Have an awesome day, and do love yourself! You are very loveable!

Patrece, (((((((Hugs))))))) for all that you do. 

I am very late, at least a week or so in congratulating you on starting the bariatric buddy group.  I happened to stumble across this group a few months ago when you were the featured group on one of the OH pages.  Little did I know what a deep and meaningful friendship would develop between us.  I believe that you are a mojor part of my support group.  The rest of the bariatric buddy group fills in various other niche and grooves.  I get once a month local support, that is great for that day, but there are so many more days to the month, and I live every day of the month.

Wow, a support group meeting of sorts, get together, what should I bring?  I could make a jello, pack it in the suitcase and hope the best for it to be intact when I arrive in a few days. lol

I am looking forward to getting together and spending girl time with my friend, yes, that is you Patrece. 

The group activity sounded great.  We are professional self defeaters.  Me included.  I know that I feel better about myself when I do me exercise, get in the proper protein, fluids and supplements.  I was up to the gym yesterday and renewed our memberships.  Now we are all set for the next 18 months.  Since I paid in full, I need to use the center.  I needed the incentive that I paid good money for this and I will use the gym.  In the long run, the cost is worth it.  I could have sppent the money on something else.  I am important, each and every one of you are important.  Do what you need to show yourself that you like and love yourself.  Treat this body you have like the shrine that it is.  Feed this body, nourish this mind.  Deal with the life issues that we each have.  I think I got a case of diarrhea of the fingers again, stepping off my soap box and letting the world know that I matter to me.  Be kind to yourself and a stranger too.  Hugs

((((((((Kathy)))))))) thank youmy dear friend!
About the jello... how about you make it here?? may save a biggg mess..lol.

I wish I had to power to give everyone everything they need to transform into a self loving and deeply happy and fulfilled person. What i do have the power to do is support and guide you all in the best way I am able. To love you all, as you should all love yourselves, and to love me. I am working on this too.

Love and hugs to you all. Hug someone today you haven't hugged in a very very long time. It's gonna feel so good!

it is funny how we tend to isolate when we are feeling down and vulnerable. we all make great turtles.  patrece,  u make a lot of difference in the lives of those u touch. u have made a difference to  me.  not just u but kathy, Linda, Rhonda, colleen and so many more that i can't remember their names.  it is important to not only love yourself but also to look and see the importance of those around you.  when people let you give to them that is such a powerful thing.  and when you accept the help of others it is equally as powerful.  you bring things full circle, patrece, and i am glad u are my friend. love ya, Vick

Hey Patrece,

Don't let poor attendance discourage you.  It's like you said, life gets in the way.  I'm invited to the support group for my surgeon's facility, but the meetings happen Wednesdays.  I won't be able to attend until August, because I have summer classes on Wednesdays now.  Plus, there's life.. people have jobs, kids, exhaustion, lol.

If you're as lovely a person in person as you are on here, then I think your members are really blessed.  I'm sure your group will prosper.

Thank you, both for your kind and encouraging words and thoughts.  It really means a lot to me. I guess we all go through times of self doubt. I was just having one of those times in a big way. But it helps so much to know that I make a difference to someone, and the more someones the better!
Hugs and love! Thank you.