I am not a big fan of microwave meals. I know, you can throw some potatoes, carrots, onions and beef into a pot, nuke it for a few minutes, and you have a meal. Yet there is something missing….like mingled flavors and room-filling aromas! In contrast, throw those same ingredients into a crockpot and let it cook all day. While it takes longer, the end product is worth the wait. Instead of a quickly cooked, tasteless bowl of potatoes, carrots, onions and beef, you have a thick, wonderful stew filled with the natural juices of all the ingredients.
Few worthwhile things in life come quickly. There are no such things as instant greatness or maturity. Becoming a leader doesn’t happen overnight. Don’t be impatient. While it is good to look ahead, think ahead and want to move ahead, moving too quickly can be unhelpful. Charge forward too quickly and you may find yourself out of touch with the very people you are attempting to lead. Leadership is more of a “crockpot” proposition. Leaders must remember that the point of leading is not to cross the finish line first. It is to take people across the finish line with you! While it may take longer, it will be worth the wait. Besides, if you look behind as you cross the finish line and there is no one with you, you are simply leading yourself!
Leadership development takes time. You can’t be thrown into the position and with the simple push of a button become an instant leader. You must work together with those around you, sharing ideas and insights in a crockpot-like approach which will allow the natural ingredients to combine and create a vision worth the wait. You can’t nuke great leadership, it has to stew awhile!
By Ava Rappaport September 5, 2015
I’m myself and when I make pot full, I divide it with my girlfriend who joined TOPS with me. We have meals for several days making it easy to have great meals.
By Sherilyn Cavallero September 2, 2015
I have been a “Frozen Packaged” Microwave person for a long time. When I joined TOPS in 2009, I thought I could just keep eating the same foods my partner & I had been eating. I just ate smaller portions. I did great with breakfast & lunch. Fresh foods (no microwave, except for oatmeal ha ha). I lost from “253” to “162” with the support of my former Chapter “TOPS CA1765 Santee”. I was so close to my goal of 150.
Then “Life” happened. My Father passed away, my son went to Prison. I went into a deep depression. I kept going to TOPS, but I was just coasting thru life as best I could. I gained 40 pounds from “162 back to 204” Eaks, Oh, No, No. When I got back over 200lbs. I snapped awake. I knew I was gaining, but 1 lb, then another 1lb adds up quickly! I was mortified.
Well, I am back on “The Road To Success” & I have lost “6 lbs. Back under “200lbs” Yeah, Woo-Hoo”. I am also starting to cook the food we eat instead of “Frozen Microwave Meals”. I am learning slowly but I am doing It with the support of my loving partner, Lynn. She is also having to eat what I am cooking ha, ha. I also love the Crockpot. I am now the Leader of “TOPS CA 0810 Lakeside”, a Great Chapter! We are just starting “The Healthy and Active Plan”. We are supporting each other. We are also having a “Buddy” that changes every month. I am also so blessed to have “Jean Stacy as my Area Captain”. She is my Rock! She is there for Support & Motivation to keep me going.
Sherilyn Cavallero
Leader of “TOPS CA 0810 Lakeside”