hooray for you
Posted: July 23, 2010 at 6:13 pmSo, 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.
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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: love yourself
amen girl…thanks for the massive smile you just put on my face this Friday 😀
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.
Fabulous! Fabulous! Thanks for giving us that! 🙂
Just found your site. Great post!! Thank you – I needed that!
Thanks for saying hello! Be sure to keep stopping by. I love making new blog friends. 🙂
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.
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.
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!!
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!
Darn pregnancy hormones!!! That poem made me cry. I think I will have to seek out that book for my little ones.
It is fabulous. I read it to M every day now.
If I ever do become a mama, I want that book in my children’s library.
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!
What a great idea for a new mom gift. Wonderful book!
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.
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.
Hope you had a great meet up! Too bad I don’t live close anymore, I would have came along! 🙂
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! 🙂
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…
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!
Enjoy your trip!! Hope you are feeling better after all that travel.
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!!
What a cute book – definitely something I want to read to my (future) children! Have a wonderful rest of your weekend, Tina!
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!
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!
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!!
What a wonderful poem!!!! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Such a sweet story! Dr Seuss’ Oh the Places You’ll Go still gives me chills!