hooray for you

Posted: July 23, 2010 at 6:13 pm

So, how ecstatic are you that it's Friday? I’m thrilled! Why? Because I feel great and get to go meet up with some awesome bloggers in a couple hours. We’re having an Atlanta Blogger Meet-up tonight at a restaurant I have wanted to try forever. I know a particular someone very fond of Seasons 52, where I will be going tonight. Hooray for blogger fun!

If you can’t tell already, my mood today soars through the roof. I attribute this to a great yoga class this morning. I didn’t get the chance to do yoga for a long time while out of town and for the past few weeks my schedule didn’t allow making it to class. I accommodated with some quick, prenatal classes from YogaDownload. The prenatal ones bored me to tears, however, and I knew I must give my beloved regular class another go. I went today and it. was. phenomenal.

Yoga feels so incredibly good for your body. And your mind. I was able to do most everything except for a core track, which I chilled in child’s pose for. I listened to my body and didn’t go as deep in particular moves, but still could notice the benefits and energy working through my body. Rock out some yoga if you haven’t before. I used to think it wasn’t necessary. Oh how wrong I was. Love it now!

Another thing that puts me in a good mood comes in the form of a children’s book. That’s right. Last night, as I read some of the books I bought yesterday to Makenzie, one jumped out at me as the best book I have ever read. It had such a powerful message that could speak to anybody. I’ve typed out most of the “poem” of the book for you below. It’s called Hooray for You by Marianne Richmond. Please read the entire thing to get the full message of the "you-ness of you". You will not be sad you did.

For quite a long time, the world saved a place.

Millions were born, yet none filled your space.

Until the second of a minute of one special day,

you took your first breath and the world said Hooray!

Perfectly timed. Not one minute more.

You suddenly were where you were not before.

But planning preceded your earthly debut

as all was completed in the you-ness of you.

“You-ness?” you ask. Quite hard to describe,

it’s your style of being, your rhythm or vibe.

It’s the grand sum of you that sets you apart.

Your body and brains plus your spirit and heart.

“Okay…” you might think, “but I’m not sure I see,

why the big fuss and hooray about me?”

Then get set to enjoy the big celebration

of the you-ness of you, a remarkable creation!

Isn’t it something that your wonderful face

is not like another in the whole human race?

The body you live in can jump, dance, and play

with custom built parts to move your own way.

And your certain good looks are just one teensy part

of the you-ness galore of your mind and your heart.

This is the essence of what you’re about,

the true who of you within and throughout.

You’re perfect as you, but my friend, you will see days when delighted is not what you’ll be.

You might even think, “I’d sure like to be like him, her, or them. Any person but me!”

Then stop that at once. Put gloom on the shelf.

Say, “Good-bye doubt” and “HOORAY SELF!”

If people compare you with another,

like a mother or sister or uncle or brother,

to them you can say for certain indeed,

“I’m completely for sure ME guaranteed!”

Yes, from head to toe tip, you’re truly original,

a creation-in-progress, a distinct individual.

Look the world over, and you’ll never find

a duplicate of you-ness that’s your one-of-a-kind!

On the day you were born, the world grew by one.

Life with big purpose and much to be done.

Look in the mirror. Love who you see.

Stand tall. Smile big. Shout…”HOORAY FOR ME!”

Umm…how STELLAR is that?! I think this needs to be shared with everyone we love. We are all unique, amazing, beautiful individuals and should be proud of who we are. As much as it delights me to see such a message in a children’s book, it also saddens me that this message dies somewhere along the way on our paths to adulthood. Instead of celebrating the “you-ness” of each person, we critique, judge, and put down ourselves and others. It needs to stop! Let us celebrate who we are!! I celebrate each of you for the friendship you give to me. Even without meeting, I know you all have kind hearts. Even without seeing face to face, I know you all are gorgeous. Even without talking on the phone, I know you all are smart and fun. HOORAY FOR YOU! And HOORAY FOR ME!

No “questions of the day” for today’s post. I think what you just read should be provoking enough. I know it stirred me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New article - Click HERE to see some important nutrition info AND tips for getting more produce in your diet. And I will go ahead and give ample warning. I have to write at least 3 articles a week and I do not expect you to read all of them, but if you can at least click and take a real quick peek it helps. Comment if you please!

Tags:

 
28 Comments to “hooray for you”
  1. amen girl…thanks for the massive smile you just put on my face this Friday 😀

  2. Have fun with the meet up! Glad you had a great yoga class. When you get in a great workout sessions, it’s hard to be down isn’t it. Hugs to you and have a fabulous evening.

  3. Fabulous! Fabulous! Thanks for giving us that! 🙂

  4. Just found your site. Great post!! Thank you – I needed that!

  5. rachael says:

    Yay for yoga! I have been practicing for 7 years and I still can’t believe how good it makes me feel. Love the poem, I’ll have to look for that book.

    • Tina says:

      7 years? Wow! That is great. I guess that’s like me and lifting weights though. I love yoga now. I have only been going for a few months and am hooked because it feels so good.

  6. Jessica Lee says:

    have fun at dinner tonight!! they just opened up a season 52 around me too. it’s in burbs (i live in the city) but i’ll make it out there one day!!

  7. I recently starting doing more yoga. I’m still amazed at how much the “yoga breathing” and stretching really does detoxify the mind and body!

    Awesome and inspirational poem! I instantly love it! Thank you for sharing. I’m always surprised by how much depth and wisdom resides in the simple words of children’s books 🙂

    Have a fantastic dinner and weekend!

  8. Darn pregnancy hormones!!! That poem made me cry. I think I will have to seek out that book for my little ones.

  9. Sarah says:

    If I ever do become a mama, I want that book in my children’s library.

  10. Shannon says:

    A mom-to-be can’t read that peopm without crying! I will definitely be getting that book to read to my little guy 🙂

    Have fun at the meet up!

  11. What a great idea for a new mom gift. Wonderful book!

  12. Ameena says:

    Sometimes I think I enjoy Maya’s children’s books more than she does. I actually do learn some important things from them!

    Have you read Pinkalicious to M yet? I bet she’ll love it. It is Maya’s FAVORITE book. And all the Fancy Nancy books too.

    • Tina says:

      I haven’t even heard of those. I normally get her books at consignment sales so just pick up what looks good for a decent price. I will have to see what those are though. I always need more books for M. She is such a book worm already.

  13. Cardio Pizza says:

    Hope you had a great meet up! Too bad I don’t live close anymore, I would have came along! 🙂

  14. I used to think yoga was pointless too, but now I LOVE it! I’m so glad I came around! That book sounds amazing. I’m going to save the excerpt you posted! 🙂

  15. What a great poem! You are so right in that somewhere along the way we just lose sight of how amazing we each are.

    On a completely different note, I really need to get back into yoga. I used to use yogadownload.com all the time. i just don’t know what happened…perhaps life just got in the way…

  16. Kimberly says:

    I am in desperate need of some yoga after traveling for most of the day yesterday and several more hours today! My hubby and I made it to Florida!! Planning on getting some yoga in in the morning 🙂
    Can’t blog because I am on someone else’s computer, but am enjoying keeping up with others!

  17. Ilana says:

    Aw what a lovely poem! I’ve been having some serious “well what the heck makes me so special” thoughts lately and this was such a nice wakeup. Thank you!!

  18. Run Sarah says:

    What a cute book – definitely something I want to read to my (future) children! Have a wonderful rest of your weekend, Tina!

  19. La. says:

    Super cute book! I will have to remember that for my daughter! I like your fit pregnancy tab. My next pregnancy I plan to gain so much LESS. bah. Oh the myths we hear about pregnancy and health!

    • Tina says:

      It is a great book. And the pregnancy tab will keep on growing as I continue to write new articles for the Examiner. Thanks for stopping by!

  20. homecookedem says:

    I had SO much fun with yall on Friday!! 🙂 Can’t wait for the next meet-up!!

    What an awesome book!! I’ll have to look for that for my first graders!!

  21. What a wonderful poem!!!! Thank you for sharing 🙂

  22. Madeline - Greens and Jeans says:

    Such a sweet story! Dr Seuss’ Oh the Places You’ll Go still gives me chills!

Leave a Reply

(required)

(required)


 

 
Catch Up With Recent Posts

Announcement Time

Posted: November 23, 2011 at 7:47 am

Well, I have had a whirlwind of a few weeks over here. I missed all of you so much! I can’t express enough gratitude for your patience while I got some important things sorted out. Some scary things. Are you ready for the announcement? Here goes! I will no longer be blogging at Faith Fitness […]

88 CommentsRead more →

Self-Love Reflection: The Road Not Taken

Posted: November 20, 2011 at 11:47 am

Hello FFF readers! Nice to meet ya! My name is Carissa and my husband and I blog at Fit2Flex.  Well, I blog…he consults! We are both certified personal trainers with a passion for healthy, active living and clean eating.  I am also studying to become a registered dietitian, a race announcer, and a runner.  Stop […]

24 CommentsRead more →

Healthier Eating For Kids

Posted: November 19, 2011 at 10:56 am

Thanks to Plum Organics for sponsoring my post about tips for baby feeding magic. What if you let baby choose what’s for dinner? Check out their cute "Quest for Yum!" video and see what happens! As parents, we want the best for our children. We help them to feel loved. We strive to teach them […]

14 CommentsRead more →
 

Announcement

Posted: November 17, 2011 at 3:36 pm

Hey, everyone! I wanted to pop in and say I am working on some new and exciting changes.  As a result,I may not be posting as much during the coming week.  Please stay tuned for the big announcement! Love you all! And still feel free to find me on Twitter and Facebook for the time […]

21 CommentsRead more →

Where The Change Happens

Posted: November 16, 2011 at 7:54 am

It’s kind of funny. I become a certified personal trainer and the first workouts I turn to this week come from someone else. The book came in for me at the library last week and, after flipping through it, I couldn’t wait to give the circuits a go. Making The Cut includes a lot of […]

79 CommentsRead more →

From Beginning To End

Posted: November 15, 2011 at 11:53 am

Good morning! First off, thanks for the many congrats yesterday. Love you all bunches for the tons of support you have given me in so many things this year. I hope I can return a little bit of that love through this here blog as well. So yesterday I had my first parent-teacher “conference” for […]

55 CommentsRead more →