On the 4th of July, the weather was beautiful – sunny, breezy and warm. A lot of people had gathered along the Oakland waterfront to hear the blues. They sat at patio tables, danced in front of the stage, lounged with their feet in a gurgling fountain. I sat on a patch of grass, the music and sun warming me straight through to the inside. I watched a group of line dancers, a boy and his puppy, an elderly couple who glowed like teenagers in love.
And I watched the hula-hoops. Spread out over the grass, they were open invitations. People would walk up, step inside one, lift the hoop to their hips and move. Not everyone could do it, but many could, and they fascinated me. There are different techniques, I discovered. Some people hardly move at all, just the barest of motion keeps the hoop spinning around their middles. Some wiggle like belly dancers; others sway so gracefully, it is a sort of poetry performed with a child’s toy.
I was fascinated because I’ve never been able to do it. I have tried. Lots of times. I remember standing, a death grip on the hoop at my hips, praying to whoever it is one prays to for hula hoop prowess. I’d let go, swinging my hips wildly, painfully aware that my motion had absolutely no effect on the hula hoop’s downward trajectory. I never figured out the secret. By twelve or so, I’d accepted my fate: my hips were not hula hoop worthy.
So, imagine my surprise when suddenly I found myself walking up to a hula hoop in the grass, stepping in, lifting it up. My eyes caught the eyes of someone watching. And then someone else. My stomach danced uncomfortably and in the instant before I released my grip on the hoop, I wasn’t sure if I’d let it drop, or try. When I let go, the sun was still warm and gorgeous, the band was still playing, people were dancing and sitting and watching, and I was hula hooping… grinning like a 12-year-old, absolutely and unabashedly full of myself.
Ahh, such beatiful wings you have (I am admiring them, as you took another leap and discovered they were there)!
Yay you! Yay J!
*shaking my pom poms* {from behind Terre and a little to the right} I wish I could have seen that grin! How wonderful to have that bit of personal independence on the 4th of July!
As Terre said:
Yay you! Yay J!
Reminds me of the Irish proverb, “Dance as if no one’s watching, sing as if no one’s listening, and live everyday as if it were your last.”
Look at you, J. Letting go of the fear instead of the hula hoop. Interesting what can happen when we live with just a dash of abandon. Magic, magic everywhere.
I’m quite proud of you, Ms. Shake My Hips and Sparkle.
Wonderful! It really is true that a great life is made up of a thousand (or million) little moments that bring us joy, clearly this was one of them. :o) yay J! xo
Terre, Awww! Thank you!
Dani, Ha! Yes my tiny act of independence.
Amy, Ms. Shake My Hips and Sparkle. I love that!
Caroline, Funny how such a little thing made me feel so big. Children do that all the time, but we forget, I think. String together a bunch of little things and suddenly everything’s different.
Got your hula groove on!! How cool is that??
I’ve never had a problem getting out on the dance floor (with a couple of belts in me), and have always felt I moved pretty well. For some reason though, I’ve got NO rhythm when it comes to the hula-hoop. Maybe I need some Motown when I’m hoopin’??
I think it has a lot to do with your leaping, too. If you (we, us, everyone) kept our same inhibitions with us throughout our lives… then where would the leaping be?
We grow.
We become unafraid.
We learn who we are in the small things that trigger our worlds.
We love … We leap.
You leap all the time — I like watching, if only from this computer screen for now.
Thank you for this.
As a fellow hula challenged hooper, I commend your bravery. I too gave up hope for hula greatness long ago. Amazing you.
Jerry, Me too, but not on the 4th. I chose the girl (who was about 12) who made it look the easiest and watched her. Then I did that, it was slow and easy – not at all the frantic movements I’ve tried before. We need a hula hoop party. You can have a few belts before donning your hoop!
Becky, Or we just act unafraid and hope the emotions will catch up to our already-in-motion bodies.
Tricia, Awww, thank you! Maybe you should try again. Who knows when my hips became hula hoop friendly.
I think the last time I attempted hula-hooping was when I was in grade 8 gym class. Maybe I should be be brave like you and attempt again? Hmmm, maybe after a couple of drinks. But you must be really proud, huh?
Is it the hips that require alcohol to loosen?
More like a little alcohol required to even attempt the hoola-hooping :)
Hi, Judy.
Yay.
You did the happy dance.
With your hips.
My mother bought my sister and me our first hula hoops.
I was very skinny then.
It was hard with no hips.
Now I have no problem.
Ha!
I love this.
That is all.
:-)
Eman, Well, it’s not like I’m Al Riske out there doing readings and book signings, but yeah, I’m pretty stoked about my latent hula hoop talent.
Ralph, Ha! Bet you shake your groove thing just fine, hula hoop or no.
Hippiechick, BIG smile.
Al, Oh, hi! Didn’t see you there. ;-)
What a lovely leaping experience! :-)
When I was a kid, my sister and I used to hula hoop a lot. Recently, I came across a hula hoop and yelled enthusiastically to my 5yo son “watch this!” And then proceeded to not be able to hula hoop at all. (My son was confused and unimpressed with my efforts.) Who knew that hula hoop muscles atrophied? Thank goodness I have you to teach me now. :-)
Judy – I love the way you tell a story and teach such wonderful life concepts so simply and in such style!
Oh – and the hips don’t lie:)
Susan
jb, “My son was confused and unimpressed with my efforts” cracked me up. Who knew that hula hoop muscles suddenly appeared where none existed before? I guess they’re fickle. But I will happily hula hoop with you, and show you all my secrets. (That will take 5 seconds.)
Susan, Thank you! I feel the same way about you.
What Hippiechick Said.
+ I LOVE THAT SMILE
*happy sigh*
Here via Annie >>
You just really made me feel like hula hopping in the park. I might arrange a hula hoop fest w friends in the park.
You can do anything when you feel happy (thinking of sun warming you all the way inside) :) Well done on proving this fact
Karen, You’re sweet. You evoke the smile frequently.
MsAfropolitan, A hula hoop fest sounds perfect! Some really good music, bunch of people you know and love, sun and hips. BIG smile!
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