Well, with this experience behind me I have learned at least one big thing that they all had in common. People like to belong to an Organization....but they do not like to go to meetings. Only "One" of these organizations had meetings people actually wanted to go to and looked forward to. They had meetings every week. Some of the others I belonged to had them once a month and very few people showed up at those meetings. Why was that??
It was the kind of meetings the "One" had. They were fun and informative. They were motivational and made you want to do something. This organization no longer exist because too many people wanted to change it into something else. This was the JayCees. I was a JayCee Women. I learned so much from them. They had "Speak Up" a program to teach you to speak in public. "Write Up" to teach you how to do paper work, forms, and essays. "Time Management" that thaught you how to manage your time. And a few more. I use all the things they taught me to this day. It has been over 30 years ago.
I loved going to the meetings and conventions. You came back so fired up and felt you could do anything. So, this is what I try to do at my meetings. I don't always get a speaker for my support meetings. Most of the time I am the only speaker. My "Coffee Break" is a support meeting and a learning meeting yes. But one of the things I want to get across is how to enjoy this new life you have with Thyroid Disease. How to smile and laugh again. How to make your life easier. It is not easy to live with a Thyroid Disease. It is not easy to live with somebody that has it. But, we can learn to live with it. I always say "Laughter is the best medicine". Laughter has helped me. I had forgot to laugh and to smile. What was there to laugh or smile about?? So I started trying to find ways to do just that. The more I tried the easier it got and the better I felt. Oh don't get me wrong. I DO still have some very bad days and will cry and have a fit. But they are not as often or as bad as they once were. But, you know whatr really helps me??? It is all of you. When you send me a positive email or a note of encouragement...well it makes me smile.
When I go to a Coffee Break and people come in frowning, hanging their head and just looking uncomfortable to be there. But by the time they leave they are laughing or at least smiling. I have seen people and myself cry at some of these meetings. Telling our story and getting it out of our system. Then I tell them things I do. I make fun of myself a lot. Pretty soon they are smiling and some even laughing. I bring informative material and art supplies to my meetings. That includes crayons and cartoons to color. All the cartoons are informative about Thyroid Disease. You would be surprised to see how much a husband has learned coloring a page about a wife that can not go out in the Sunlight or losing her hair. You should see a man get humble when my husband gives a speech about standing by your lady . I have seen grown men cry and hug their wife and say they are so sorry. And then we lighten up and Color.
I am putting together a Support meeting kit soon. As I can not go to all the "Thyroid Coffee Breaks" As much As I would like to. But if you want to invite me and pay my way I will go on the other side of the world to make you laugh,lol.
So, I do things unconventional. I learned from the best of the best.
Spring Started Yesterday.......What are you waiting for?????
"You have to believe in Happiness
Or happiness never comes...
Oh, that's the reason a bird sings...
On his darkest day he believes in Spring."