One day I was walking along the Washington Beach, the black beach in Washington, North Carolina with my father. I was about eight years old. I noticed a man with a bucket of crabs. The crab bucket did not have a top on it. I asked my father why the crabs were not able to escape. My father’s explanation taught me a valuable lesson.
My father said, “If there was only one crab in the bucket it would certainly escape. However, when there is more than one crab in the bucket, if one tries to crawl out, the other crabs would grab hold and pull it back down so that it would share the same fate as the rest of them.” One thing I have heard a lot of in my weight loss class is others' experience with lack of support from certain friends. This story came to mind and I shared it. We all could relate. It is amazing to me how some folks are apathetic or worse when it comes to another's success. Even more so in the arena of weight loss and exercise.
I encouraged my fellow participants to gravitate to those that are encouraging them and try to encourage those who are not. They probably don't want to hear it, but remember encouragment is hinged on selflessness. That's my wisdom, I did not get it from anywhere else but my own experience.
It is also important to "set to the plow" and not look behind, or your path will not be true. I am going somewhere, I hope to not go alone, but will if necessary.
