This morning I came across ‘s post about trying new things.
Then I read ‘s post in which she invited us to be brave in our lives.
And the wheels in my brain started to turn,
which, in turn, caused my heart to pound.
Because I knew what new thing I’d like to try.
It’s something that would require a great amount of bravery.
In fact, my heart’s pounding again as I write this.
I want to take hooping lessons.
There, I said it!
But just the thought of demonstrating
my clunky, flow-less hooping to a pro
causes me great panic.
I mean, look at her:
This woman lives in my area and offers private lessons.
(Group lessons would totally overwhelm me, I think).
On the one hand, my new year’s resolutions included
learning to Beam Me Up (a cool hooping trick) and improving my flow.
But YIKES.
She is so very good and I’m so very, um, what’s the word I’m looking for?
Stiff?
Frankenstein-esque?
Scared?
What a joyful, gloriously courageous way to celebrate the New Year!
Take a deep breath and sign up for those lessons–remembering, as always, that everything begins with the breath…
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I keep thinking about you and your singing lessons. That’s an act of courage! The voice is such an intimate thing. Hooping shouldn’t be so scary, right? Right?
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Nope, it is a neutral thing, as are singing lessons. Funny, isn’t it, the freedoms we so willingly give away for/to [fill in the blank]? I was just thinking about this in the context of writing memoir yesterday. Your post (and Lorraine’s) has me thinking of it anew….
(edited for length)
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Writing, hooping, singing, dreams, fear…. they all have so much in common.
I do love that JOY avatar-thingy.
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Well, I’ve seen you hoop here on your blog and you rock, whether you think so or not. 😉 Have fun!
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You’re kind, Sarah. If I can screw up the courage, I think I’ll have lots of fun. Thanks for the encouragement.
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I know just how you feel. I feel the same when I’m wanting to do something new like that. It’s hard to find the courage to just do it. You can do it. The hardest part is just committing to do it and showing up that first day. After that, it’s good. 🙂
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Too bad you can’t do it with me!
(Thank you again for you support).
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That would be so fun! 🙂
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Cheers to YOU!
Wonderful! I think you are already fluid and fun in your hoopery! I am sure you will love to learn more!
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Re: Cheers to YOU!
I’m going to start using “hoopery” more often. What a fun word. Thank you for your vote of confidence, Laura. I definitely have fun so if I can improve the fluid part….
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Oh, wow! I hope you do this. That clip makes even *me* want to hoop (back injury or no back injury)!
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I’m sorry you have a back injury. That is no fun. Hooping, on the other hand, is great fun. So I must pull myself together and make more fun!
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“So very good” is what you want in a teacher, silly.
And I think anything that makes your heart pound when you think about trying it is usually something you should give a go, mate. I was going to say always give a go, but then . . . well, I thought maybe not EVERYTHING.
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I knew as I pointed out how good she is that it was a silly thing to say. I mean, I definitely wouldn’t want to take lessons from a very bad hooper. Hell, I could get that for free!
And are you saying you don’t think it’d be wise for you to give Johnny Depp a go, mate?
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Hahahahaha! you made me laugh! OUT LOUD.
but acksherlly, even though I’ve long been a fan of JD’s work, he’s not the one that makes my heart pound. Capt. Jack is.
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I had an inkling it was Capt Jack. Probably because you’re such a swashbuckler yourself.
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Dude. She teaches lessons because people need them. People like you. (People like me know better than to even try – I’ve never, ever, ever kept a hoop up. Not even once.)
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I know. I’m so silly. However, people like you could also try because the only reason you have never, ever kept a hoop up is that you tried with one of those fly-weight plastic jobbies from the supermarket. Am I right? I can’t keep one of those up, either. Add a little weight, though, and shazam!, you’d be hooping!
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Well that was just stunning! Have yourself a blast!
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I’m glad you enjoyed that gorgeous video. If I can get brave, I will most assuredly have a blast. Thank you!
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My whole family enjoyed this video!
How cool is she?
And so are you. Hardly Frankenstein, except, of course, for that mask, although that was more Scream than Frankie.
Thanks for sharing!!
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I love the thought of you gathered around watching that hooping magic. That woman is very cool and graceful and sinewy and…..(deep breath) she’s the perfect teacher for me, right?
More Scream than Frankenstein? That might be the nicest thing anyone ever said to me. 🙂
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Oh go for it, Tracy! You’ll love it, I know it.
And hey, teachers aren’t judging their students, they just want to help them improve.
And you’re awesome, Tracy…if fact, your video rocked. When are you going to show us another one?
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You’re so nice to me, Lorraine. Can I send you some chocolate?
I know teachers don’t judge. She wouldn’t need to anyway since I’m doing so much of that myself. If, I mean, when I take a lesson or two, I’ll see if I can put together another video. 🙂
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Cool.
Hooping lessons sound awesome.
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Hooping lessons do sound awesome. I need to keep telling myself that so I can pull myself together and sign up!
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