IT’S MY TIME

Another year has ticked to a

close and as this new one begins,

so does our new TOPS® theme

for the next two years.

While reflecting on this theme, a song written by Jim Croce titled “Time in a Bottle” drifted through my memory. The chorus goes… But there never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do once you find them. I've looked around enough to know that you’re the one I want to go through time with.

We all found TOPS®. We found some wonderful people with whom to share our weight loss journey. None of us knows how many ticks of the clock there are in our futures. Each one is so precious and irreplaceable. We cannot reclaim a second from yesterday or borrow a moment from tomorrow. But we have this time and if we use it well and with joy, it will be enough.

I have to eat smaller portions and lighter meals. I have to exercise more. I keep saying it all the time. I keep saying I am going to start “soon”! Then I look and the holidays have passed. I just didn’t have time to exercise. I didn’t have time to plan healthier meals. I just don't have the time. Which is odd… Because I have the time to go bake all kinds of goodies. I had time to out to dinners, parties and potlucks. I had time to watch TV. I had time to shop, buy and wrap presents. I had time to get my teeth cleaned. It seems that I had time to do what I really decided to do… Hmmmmm?

When we found TOPS®, we also found some awesome tools to keep us going. We do things sensibly, supportively, steadily. Just like a Timex, we may take a licking’ but we keep on tickin’!

There are many famous quotations on time and how we apply it. Most of us have known both the thrill and satisfaction of success and the challenges of temporary setbacks. It helps to remember that we are not alone in this knowledge:

In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these. Paul Harvey

Often we simply have so much to do that our lives seem almost overwhelming. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time to stretch to complete everything we feel must be done first. Take a deep breath! Stretch!

Count to ten (ten times)

The time to relax is -- when you don't have time for it.   Sidney J. Harris

We often say we don’t have time for something that would help us achieve what we say our most important goals. Yet, in truth, we often are making an excuse not to do something we find uncomfortable or inconvenient. Actually making a date with ourselves to perform that activity makes a significant difference in the likelihood that it will get done.

Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.   Steven Wright

Look at this New Year a bit differently. Prioritize what you want most. Look at what you will do to make the important things happen. When you are stuck, step back, reexamine and make a change or two.

Time cools, time clarifies; no mood can be maintained quite unaltered through the course of hours. Mark Twain

As this New Year begins its journey, I leave you to reflect on the last verse of the song…

If I had a box full of wishes and dreams that had never come true, the Box would be empty except for the memory of how they were answered by you… and make a commitment to use this time well. It is your time!!

This was originally written for Croce's son Adrian when he was a baby. Adrian grew up to become the singer-songwriter A.J. Croce.