Being in a community with others is a gift. But it can also be challenging to consistently find common ground amongst differing perspectives and personality types. Plus, just as individuals grow and change, the communities we belong to will too.
This is true of neighborhoods, familial relationships and our TOPS chapters. Even when individuals agree on common goals, we may not always see eye to eye on how to welcome newcomers or celebrate milestones. It may be helpful to periodically initiate a candid conversation during a chapter meeting about how comfortable members are feeling about when and where you meet, recent programs presented and more.
If individuals are shy about speaking up individually, here are a few words you can use to “break the ice” by discussing as a group if any of the following words feel applicable to your current group dynamic, whether as a positive aspect or something you’d like to work on improving:
Accessibility: effort is consistently made to make all meetings, social gatherings and educational materials equally available to each member (*This might include a willingness to accommodate different visual, mobility or assistive listening needs.)
Collaboration: working together to gain knowledge and skills that help everyone improve at making healthier lifestyle choices
Disempowerment: causing a person or a group of people to be less likely than others to succeed or depriving one or more individuals of power, authority or influence
Synergy: utilizing each other’s strengths and interests to create a community that is encouraging for everyone
Toxic positivity: adopting a “positive mindset no matter how dire or difficult a situation,” often ignoring or rejecting negative emotions by hiding behind a mask of fake assurance
Are there other keywords and phrases that describe past or present TOPS chapters you have belonged to? If so, please tell us more in the comments thread below. We really enjoy hearing your stories about the role TOPS continues to play in your health and happiness!
~Rachel
PS: I also encourage you all to briefly discuss the benefits of mindfulness — during a meeting or at home with a loved one — before the end of May because it is currently Mental Health Awareness Month. Sometimes, you simply checking in is the lifeline another person might really need at that moment.
