I got home from work a little after midnight last night and followed my usual routine of grabbing my computer and turning on King of the Hill. This is my time to wind down after work. It’s quiet in my house because Tommy and Thor are usually already in bed. Catching up with friends on my computer and watching something funny on TV helps me leave behind all the stress of the evening. I logged onto SparkPeople and was so surprised to find that there is now a Spark People Motivator badge on my page. Thank you so much to those who nominated me. It makes me feel good to know I was able to help motivate others in return for all I’ve received from this community.

Hmm! I wondered how this happened. Me, a motivator? But SparkPeople is where I’ve always come to find motivation when I begin to slip a little. This is where I find friends who encourage me, share advice, help me to pick myself back up and get back on track. I also try to encourage others along the way, but I never really thought of myself as a motivator. I would have to think about this a little while.

So finally, after much thought, it came to me. I AM A MOTIVATOR! AND SO ARE ALL OF YOU! Because that is so much of what this community is all about. Friends helping friends. Encouraging and cheering each other on to help us all reach our goals, providing little tips we’ve learned along the way, meeting new friends, sharing our common interests, supporting and helping each other through the rough spots in the road, and celebrating in the success of others' achievements.

So that’s it. I have figured it out. We’re ALL motivators and we all need each other. It is each and every individual that comes together to make this such a special community.

Congratulations to everyone who has achieved their goals and who is now living a new and healthier lifestyle. For those of us still working to reach their goals, it’s a new year and a fresh start. TOGETHER, WE CAN ALL DO THIS.

Thanks SparkPeople for this wonderful site, and thanks to you all for helping keep me motivated!