Welcome to my next Refracted Friday blog series: Making the Right Moves with TOPS.
We have all heard the expression “Life is like a chess game.” The implications are that in both, it is necessary to plan ahead, use various tactics, not be reactive, not get emotional (keep focused) and have a purpose (goal) in mind.
I want to warn you that I am still learning about the game of chess. So, as this series develops, just know I cast no disrespect to any Grandmasters. I also will never take on the attitude that I play chess while some play checkers. We need to be in a position to support and learn from each other.
Weight loss and striving for a healthier lifestyle can also be compared to a chess game. Planning, learning and applying current information, being proactive, avoiding emotional eating and setting a goal all fit the previous comparisons between life and chess.
In my other blog series, I used constellations, human senses, elements and road signs to convey my successes, failures and efforts in describing my battle with obesity before and during my membership in TOPS. Each series helped me learn more about myself and allowed me to share with others.
I am not sure how I thought about using a chess game for my next series, one might say it came to me in the middle of the “knight.” If you understand that pun, you may be already a few moves ahead of me. If you did not get the joke, then I hope you enjoy this next series as we learn together about the chess game of life and how it impacts our initiatives.
In the game of chess, the first move is called an OPENING. My OPENING in my quest to be healthier and lose weight was joining TOPS on January 10, 2002. I had tried previous OPENINGS with other organizations; however, none of these others had terrific value even though I paid much more than I ever paid in TOPS.
Making the first move in anything we want to do is always the toughest. But, in order to start the game, the first move must happen. The OPENING may not always lead to where you hoped to go. However, if you do not make the move, you are guaranteed to fail in obtaining any goal. You will always have the chance to wipe the board clean and start again. As you keep trying and make more OPENINGS, you will learn how to make the right moves.
The game of chess will have some strange moves and sometimes we do not understand. In my struggles with weight loss, I also see strange moves and really do not understand why.
I have made my OPENING. I am ready to keep Making the Right Moves with TOPS. Are you up for the game?
