I have been treated to an exciting few days at International Recognition Days in San Diego, CA with over 2,300 friends!! AWESOME, WONDERFUL, INCREDIBLE, FANTASTIC, EXCELLENT, and AMAZING are just a few of the adjectives I would use to describe this gathering.

The week before we gathered in sunny, southern California, I had just completed my personal tour of every state and province as well as the Yukon Territory. What a treat to be with TOPS members everywhere. The loving, care, support, and concern for each other are everywhere, forming a strong bond of camaraderie.

Each member of TOPS has the potential to make a difference, not only in himself/herself but also for someone else. If we do what we can with the strengths and talents we have, we will make progress and impact our futures and the futures of those who surround us.

While we might not realize it at the time, small steps matter and build to significant achievements. What we may be able to do may not seem world-shaking, but the changes we make can lead to amazing improvements in our lives as well as the lives of others.

TOPS members stand up for each other and stick together when the going gets tough. We know we are on a quest to improve our health that is for the long run, not just a short-term fix of dropping a few pounds only to be regained shortly afterward. We have also discovered that in helping others, we help ourselves achieve our own personal goals.

To paraphrase Dorothy Day, “All of us are like…pebbles cast into a pond. We cause ripples that spread in all directions. Each one of our thoughts, words, and deeds is like that. No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There is too much work to do.”

I am energized and enthusiastic. I am looking forward to discovering the next ripple of encouragement and excitement to spread throughout our TOPS family. How about you?

Let’s go make a difference!

I Care, Barb