This week has been one of the best weeks I’ve had. Thinking back to when I first toyed with the idea of starting a blog, I didn’t want to do it. I didn’t want to open up and be transparent. In retrospect, that was probably one of the best decisions I made. I was nervous about the first entry. It took me almost an hour to hit the Publish button. It seems like it was yesterday. My hands were shaking, my heart had exceeded its normal pace. I sat there staring at the screen reading and re-reading the words I had written. Finally, I got a surge of courage and hit “publish” and quickly closed the laptop. I often wonder if this is helping anybody besides me. I think of the impact it is having on others. Is it even having an impact? The last few days have confirmed its impact. I once heard a statement that resonates with me to this day. “You have to understand who wins when you win.” That statement repeatedly plays in my mind. This blog has become much more than a place where I document my trials and triumphs. It’s a piece of me that I’m giving to others to let them know they could do it too. Weight-loss or any other goal or dream you have. You can do it. Don’t believe it? Just read some of the blog entries. I have no idea who reads my entries. However, I was blessed to find out that a special group of people have been following me on my journey. I haven’t met this special group but I know them. I know them because we are all overcoming things and becoming better people. I was so humbled to find out that this blog was impacting their lives. I was told that I inspire them but I want them to know that they inspire me. 
I remember one of my favorite analogies because of them. The ripples of success. What is that? Well if you take a rock and drop it in a stream or lake. There are ripples that spread out from the point of impact. The place where the water meets the rock represents the impact you have on someone’s life. The ripples? They represent the spreading of your impact to others indirectly. That’s what’s happening with my blog. I’m impacting others and one of the ripples has reached a special group of friends. To those friends, I say thank you. Thank you for reading my blog. Thank you for encouraging me. Thank you for letting me know the blog is helping. Do me a favor please. When you all go to the pond, take a second to drop a rock in the water and watch the ripples. Look at them to see how far they travel from the place of impact. Resolve to be the rock and let your impact have far-reaching ripples of success.
Ripples of Success
23
May
Brand New Antuan 
Tameka
05/23/2013 at 9:07 AM
Love this! Your determination and success, encouraged me. The idea of far reaching ripples, are so inspiring and true. Thank you for hitting the publish button.
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antuanruss
05/23/2013 at 10:02 AM
Thank you, Meka! Best decision I’ve made! Congrats on all your success as well. You’re amazing!!
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missediva
05/23/2013 at 9:48 AM
Brilliantly stated Mr. Russ! I follow you and your ripples definitely impact my life. Thanks for sharing you with us! – Erika
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antuanruss
05/23/2013 at 10:02 AM
Thanks, E! I appreciate the kind words! Very humbling.
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missediva
05/23/2013 at 9:50 AM
Reblogged this on Deuces & Smooches and commented:
“You have to understand who wins when you win.” – Antuan is a wonderful person and is definitely an inspiration! I wanted to re-blog this post because it’s simple and straight to the point.
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antuanruss
05/23/2013 at 10:03 AM
Preshate the reblog. That’s really cool!
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Beryl McClyde
05/23/2013 at 4:01 PM
Antuan, you are incredible! Your honesty,humor,wisdom, fearlessness and so much more inspires me beyond measure. I love you and know that reading your blog is like sitting on the swing listening to you live, up close and personal! You are just that real with your passion to be a much better everything you desire. Your” ripple” has reached South Florida with great effectiveness. My journey will begin June 1, 2013; you are my inspiration!!!! Again, Love you much!
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antuanruss
05/24/2013 at 7:07 AM
Hey, Sis! I’m no more incredible than you!! 🙂 I love you too and thank you so much for reading and following my blog. I’m right there with you when you start!
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ALLOFUS
05/23/2013 at 5:36 PM
although I am only the messenger, it’s time …. I asked what does ABlog mean to you? What have you learned about yourself thru the eyes of someone else? What is the difference between them and us? Here is the confirmation of the ripples….
These are all words that I promised to pass on, without giving out names as this is an exchange of encouragement …
“You give me courage to see just where I can go.”
“Keep on writing, your words shine in my soul”
“Keep on keeping on, I know you can do it, just put one foot in front of the other, one day at a time, just like me”
“When I was in the depth of my depression, I know if I could change, you came into my life, today I have hope, keep on posting up!”
“I am me, you are you, we are …. ripples spreading out touching one another, becoming one”
“Holler at Matt, he gave us both a boost! I thought it was getting too hard and had my head down too, until she started reading and I knew I could go forward one more day.”
“I came here, not knowing anything about you, the others filled me in on other entries, I feel as if you know what my struggles are all about, I feel as if I know you, we can do anything together”
“when I need a boost, or just some quiet time, I go get the ablog journal, and I read some of your entries. My struggles are much like your own, self doubt, not wanting to change, who am I going to be? You help me continue to grow, emotionally as well as help me have courage to face what I have done and what I have yet to do.”
and this one is very very special,
“because of you, I am no longer suicidal. I have lived with pain all my life, I wondered everyday,if today would be the day I could go, and yet I stayed. Today I have hope. God Bless You.”
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Jenn
05/28/2013 at 3:41 PM
This is awesome and a blessing to many. Keep going, keep inspiring, keep shining! Our testimonies are not for us, but for others! May God bless you for being obedient.
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Beryl L McClyde
05/29/2013 at 9:17 AM
Thank you, my Brother! That is so sweet of you to offer being there for me. I will keep you posted. I love you very much,B
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