Support Groups: Paying it Forward

There comes a time when a support group member undergoes a transformation. He or she crosses that line from support-recipient to support-giver. Why? It's because the member transforms. Something new occurs--whether it's a new way of thinking or acting--change redraws the line.

I've been a member of various support groups and have experienced this transformation. As an active member of a diet support group, I made the transformation from newbie to teacher. In the beginning, I needed encouragement, inspiration, diet tips and cooking tips. But as I became more familiar with the diet plan and acquired experience and success, I underwent a transformation in my thinking--as well as in my appearance. As an experienced member, I understood the need for me to share my knowledge with new members, to move from position of student to that of teacher.

Paying it forward means to benefit others, because I've received. In this case, I paid forward diet knowledge, tips, and tricks taught me, by sharing my skills and success with new members. These new members gleaned wisdom form my experience that helped them succeed on their diet journey.

In addition to my membership in a diet support group, I've also been a member of various forums and community blog sites where I've paid it forward by sharing what I knew from experience, with new members. By doing so, I inspired others and helped them learn the ropes to succeed.

An active member of several support groups, I continue to share knowledge and skills with new members. Teachers are appreciated in support groups. Learners are plenty, but knowledgeable teachers are often few. Why is that? As members grow and transform, they often fly away in freedom. Over time, they may forget what it feels like to be a newbie--to require considerable support. They may feel they no longer need the support group. Unfortunately, they may also fail to understand how their presence and experience is needed by new members.

Transformation is a likely outcome of support group members. But departure needn't be. If we have opportunity to pay forward what we've received, let's do it. Let's consider where we might be today, had not someone paid it forward for us.