There were 11 round tables in the conference room at the Cincinnati Spark Rally Saturday. And around each table... Spark people... with their own incredible stories of weight loss success and determination. It was absolutely amazing and humbling to listen and get to know so many people who nodded their acknowledgment and smiled with encouragement. I am filled with gratitude this evening for this experience, filled with gratitude for each person there who extended their friendship.



SWDOTB2 (me) with INDY GIRL (Beth) and her sister HOOSIERGIRLINDY (Tina) at the rally.

ELSEEBEE introduced herself to me and our whole gathering with grace and humor even though she fell the day before and scraped her face and hands. Thank you for wonderful conversations and our connection. Hope your wounds heal quickly without any complications, you are in my thoughts this evening.

KATHYJO56 shared an inspiring Gandhi quote: "Believe and you're halfway there..."

And when it came my time to get up and speak...



...I forgot to tell you all that last summer several South Bend Sparkers and I would walk on Fridays after work on campus. We ventured further in our walks and crossed Mishawaka Avenue to Potawatomi Park. There's a stage in the park, a bandstand under huge old oak trees and we would take turns going up on stage to state our goals to the trees there.

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I would hold an imaginary microphone in my hand and envision speaking at a Spark rally one day. This is kind of like what SparkGuy says in his book about "Seeing It..."



Indygirl drew a lot of names for the gifts in the raffle at the Cincinnati rally and I was thrilled when my name was drawn for an autographed copy of the Spark book. I found Sparkguy's story to be amazing and also the chapter on FOCUS.

Went out to lunch with DH, KSIGMA1222 who is featured in the Spark book and LESSISMORE4ME. Tried Vietnamese cuisine for the first time and enjoyed getting to know them and my entree, Water Spinach in Garlic sauce and Green Beans.




MMCCOURTT asked if he could take a picture and shared it with me, thank you for sending this to me.

On page 20 in the SPARK book, I quote: "Locating your purpose and your deepest life intentions can help you move with greater clarity each day of your life. Your purpose is what defines your life..."



Sharing the benefits of restorative yoga in presenting the chair yoga class at 4:00 was the highlight of my weekend.

It meant so much to me and I ended up having enough blocks and straps for everyone who stayed for my class. I ordered 28 straps to bring with me to the Spark rally. Little by little, I am adding to my inventory of yoga props and it is my goal to continue to teach yoga when doors open and this helped me to build on my inventory of props to take with me to future classes. And this is "Saying It" like on page 24.

Did anyone get any photos of the yoga class that they would share with me, please?



It was amazing to meet Coach Nicole and she autographed my Spark book by writing: "Lee--
Great meeting you! Have a Sparked life! Coach Nicole"

KSIGMA1222 autographed my book: "Live Namaste' and INDYGIRL wrote: "Peace, love and Starshine"



At the party in the evening, HOOSIERGIRLINDY, LESSISMORE4ME and me:)



I liked the window seat and view from our room at the Microtel and wore my Spark shirt on Sunday.



I was hoping for more time to talk with INDYGIRL and we did over breakfast Sunday morning. INDYGIRL, SWDOTB2, KSIGMA1222, and LESSISMORE4ME.



And others joined us and we pushed the tables together and talked some more before saying our good-byes.



My husband, Doug and I stopped at a state park close to Florence, Kentucky on the way home and hiked. It felt good to walk before the five hour drive back home.

I'm so thankful I met so many amazing Spark people at this rally, so very thankful for life itself! And like I said, I feel so ALIVE!!!