PRIMEOFMYLIFE
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Do you have a voice?

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Wednesday, December 02, 2020

Do I have a voice. I didn’t really think so, especially here on Spark. I’m one in a ... however many members there are. I’m a small fish in a big pond. Currently, SparkPeople has nearly 16,000,000 registered members! I am a very small fish!
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This week I’ve been hearing about the ripple effect. We don’t always know what effect we have, or who hears us, but the effect is real, and it is out there.
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I took a course last year and my takeaways were, “Speak your truth,” and “Be authentic.” I think I do that, more so now. Not that I didn’t before, but I certainly withheld. If I can’t speak my truth now, when will I ever?
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I’ve been a Spark member since 2009, and much of that was “on and off, up and down, here and there.” In April 2020, I committed, for real: I joined teams, took on challenges, added SparkFriends, and told my truth. I felt like Horton on the dust speck. Who would listen? Who would care? Well, according to my Spark page, I’ve had 11,114 visits! Some little ripple brought them there.
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I’m a retired teacher and sometimes hear about my effect on former students; it warms my heart. The ripples are still going. I think our Spark updates, photos, blogs, challenges, goodies, and other sharing activities are also ripples that reach further than we could ever imagine. This is not unique to me. All of us at Spark have a voice, which makes a ripple.
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Do you have a voice? YES! Let’s make waves!

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Member Comments About This Blog Post
  • BOBBIESOCKS-46
    You made an impression on me the first time I read your SP page. I count you as a real friend. Thank you for your impression.

    emoticon Bobbie
    4 hours ago
  • DLBEASYRIDER
    Love that you shared your experience , strength, and hope with us! As they say the squeaky wheel gets the grease, if you don't speak up you will not be heard! I caught the wave and I'm gonna ride it as long as possible, sharing it with all that cross my path! Progress not perfection, all we need do is give it our best shot!
    23 days ago
  • SLENDERELLA61
    Great blog! True. Thanks!!
    31 days ago
  • AALLEY2
    emoticon You just never know! emoticon emoticon
    39 days ago
  • PLCHAPPELL
    Your voice is speaking loudly and clearly.
    40 days ago
  • CHERYLHURT
    I’ve been on since 2010.
    42 days ago
  • ELSCO55
    Great
    44 days ago
  • TRISH261
    Same here. I've been a registered member on here for many years as well and I have done the same. I was really good at first; on here every day! Lost weight, felt good. Then "life" would happen, and fast forward 3 years. Start over.....then whoops! Years later, starting again. Just recently did it....was here for a few weeks in October, and here it is....almost Christmas. Sorry for rambling....anyhow, loved your blog! emoticon
    44 days ago
  • SUSANYOUNGER
    emoticon
    44 days ago
  • HEALTHY4JEANNE
    I used to spend so much time on spark. I had successes. Did what you did. Then somewhere along the way I think i switched to facebook and became a couch potato and hence gained weight.
    Make some ripples! I agree I am so authentic! lol

    I am on my road back to good health and I really liked your post!
    45 days ago
  • SPARKLINGME176
    Really well said!!!! I agree with you! emoticon
    48 days ago
  • SUSIEMT
    Well said! Keep up the great job. Our voices do make a difference! One person at a time! emoticon
    50 days ago
  • THEJOURNEYAHEAD
    This is very encouraging and really beautiful words. emoticon Thank you so much for reminding me that each of us can make a difference in others lives if we take the chance. I've been on SparkPeople since 2016 but really have not been consistent. This year a lot happened to me and my family that has made an impact. It has made me want to try. Even though the scale is not budging I'm drinking my water, fitting in exercise, trying to eat right, and taking time for myself. Joining the groups on here and challenges has also helped me and I love being able to help others even if its just to listen or provide kind words. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! emoticon emoticon emoticon
    50 days ago
  • ONEKIDSMOM
    Powerful words... your voice is louder than you think... and when you inspire others to widen the ripple (I got a Spark Mail from a fellow blogger who'd read YOUR blog... well, it's the ripples in action! And the more we encourage one another, the farther those ripples can go!

    Well written. emoticon
    51 days ago
  • ALICIA363
    It’s a wonderful life!
    So glad you’re here.
    Thank you for the blog!
    51 days ago
  • WATERMELLEN
    What a great blog -- love it both as a former teacher myself (1975 through 1986) and a Sparkie since 2007! This is a great community for sharing support where there's always somebody who will listen and respond!! Spark People offers so many different ways to participate and stay healthy, both physically and socially! Maybe people don't always agree with me when I speak up but that's OK: generally there is respectful discussion and toleration of diverse opinions!
    51 days ago
  • PHEBESS
    I'm another retired teacher - YAY for us! We definitely hear from former students and find that we made more of an impact that we ever thought we might.

    I learned early on to speak up for myself when it was important - it really is essential to do so! Because otherwise, how will anyone know that there are diverse points of view, diverse needs?


    51 days ago
  • SPARKLENORTH
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    53 days ago
  • BROOKLYN_BORN
    This blog really spoke to me. I also joined Spark in 2009

    It took me THREE YEARS to find my voice and write my first blog.

    I followed the plan and read a lot but never really got connected until somebody reached out to ME.

    So let us keep hearing your voice.
    It adds to the strength of the community the more voices that are heard.
    54 days ago
  • GBSLIM
    emoticon
    54 days ago
  • FUNLOVEN
    I too have been a SP member since 2009 and waxed and waned over the years regarding how much I voice and actively participate here. Feeling similar to you; since I haven't reached my weight goal and continue to have many struggles who cares what I have to say.

    I've read about the ripple effect also. Guess we never do really know what kind of ripples we can create, but i am a firm believer in uniting energies and I want my ripples to be positive ones. I think that is how we build our Spark Friends - reading posts and blogs and finding someone's words that somehow touch our souls.
    54 days ago
  • SABLENESS
    It amazes me to this day what an impact a seemingly small ripple can have.
    54 days ago
  • BOBBIESOCKS-46
    You differently do make a difference, PRIMEOFMYLIFE. emoticon

    (((Hugs))) Bobbie
    55 days ago
  • 52BINCE
    Great message, Keep on letting your voice be heard because this is well said! emoticon
    55 days ago
  • JACRBUNCH
    Wow!
    55 days ago
  • 2BDYNAMIC
    Excellent message! One I hope will be carried across the waters to reach other parts of the continent! Very well said And thank you for sharing! ....😀 ....💕 ....
    55 days ago
  • RENEE7575
    I am so lucky one of us rippled onto the other's page and now we are friends! You continue to inspire me! emoticon
    55 days ago
  • NANCYPAULINE
    You're right about that ripple effect. I, too, am a retired teacher, and spent most of my career in "tough" schools; I don't expect to hear about my former kids winning Nobel Prizes, etc. But for one year, I could love each child and that's a ripple.
    55 days ago
  • TRAVELGAL417
    I have been a member since 1/2008 emoticon
    55 days ago
  • MRSCLASSICSCRAZ
    Wow! Excellent blog & very powerful. Thanks you so much for this. What a wonderful way to look at it. I read this just at a time, when I was feeling a bit down & thinking I hadn't made much of a ripple in my life. But we never really know, do we.

    After reading this, I'm going to make sure I let more people in my life, know about the ripple they've made, as so often we don't realize who we've touch & only our relatives hear about it after we're gone.

    My sister passed away on Monday & as the oldest living relative I'm responsible for all arrangements & I'm being flooded with stories of her kindness & help, as she did a lot for people without others knowing. With Covid & so many like my sister living in apartment building & being isolated & lonely, it would be wonderful if we all contact friends & family to let them know the ripple they've been in our life.

    I know after reading this blog I'm going to contact people I may not of spoken or chatted with recently who have made a ripple in my life. Who will you contact?

    Prime of Life, would it be ok if I share your blog? It is awesome. Thank you emoticon and spreading your ripple.


    55 days ago

    Comment edited on: 12/2/2020 6:02:27 PM
  • SLIMMERJESSE
    Wow, I had no idea there are that many registered members. Of course, not all of them are actively participating.
    55 days ago

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    Disclaimer: Weight loss results will vary from person to person. No individual result should be seen as a typical result of following the SparkPeople program.
 

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