Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Traci "CircularPraise" Bonney on June 4, 2011 at 8:28am

Anna, I can't help you with the classes or jams thing since I'm not in the area, but I want to encourage you to continue stepping out and hooping in public because chances are, those girls don't even remember the original encounter.  That's the problem with being mean like that - the person who did it forgets and moves on, but the person on the receiving end bears the scar long afterward.

 

Even if you do see them again and they do remember, think of this: you've continued to hoop despite them and you've improved.  If they're still catty, they must not have changed all that much in the last couple of years, so who's better off?  I actually feel sorry for people who think it's okay to have a laugh at someone else's expense; they obviously aren't true hoopers at heart, or they'd have more accepting attitudes.  They'd encourage your journey, knowing how beneficial the hoop is for everyone who finds it.

 

Forgive them for being that way (for your benefit, not theirs), and let go of the fear of being judged.  Truth is, there's always going to be someone out there thinking it's okay for them to act like that; not all of them will be as vocal, that's all.  You know what you can do, so just do it and be joyful about it and be like a duck - let the nastiness roll off your back.  Don't let it penetrate.  It's not easy to stay tender and still keep the hurtful things out, but it's worth the effort.  It will make you a better hooper and keep you a loving person.

 

Take in the love God has for you and this community sends to you, and refuse to admit the emotional vampires into your life.  Have a blessed life, my hoop sister. :)

Permalink Reply by Annahoops on June 4, 2011 at 8:49am

Thank you soo much.  Those words hit home more than you know.  I sometimes think how ridiculous something that happened three years ago still effects my life.  I really hope to find some classes or a hoop jam so I can bite my lip and step out in the community to continue to grow and overcome something that has plagued me for so long.  You are so right about the type of people who say mean things, I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement.  Thank you so much!  You are such an inspiration to hoop so well and live with such a positive mindset.

Permalink Reply by Traci "CircularPraise" Bonney on June 4, 2011 at 9:13am

I'm glad my words help, Anna.  I went to a festival not long ago and hooped with a friend.  We were there for about an hour and a half (not hooping the entire time; it was way too hot for that), and we even ended up as one of the two photos the local paper used to cover the event.  Here's the thing; my friend (Halimeda Hoops) is tall, slim, athletic and in her 20s.  I'm short, curvy, only athletic in a hoop, and in my mid 40s.  Were there butterflies in my stomach going into this?  You bet.  Did I think folks might be judgmental, especially seeing the two of us together?  Sure.  Did that stop me?  No way!

 

We both took extra hoops and encouraged any adults who seemed interested to try it.  The kids were no problem - hoops are kid magnets.  The adults were another story.  But because I was out there, showing them it can be done by a fluffy middle-aged woman, they were willing to try.

 

That's our role as hoopers - to show people that it's not just a thing for kids and slimmer folks.  If we're out there spinning joy and spreading the hoop love, we help the community grow.  And if enough of us persevere, the mean girls will either mellow out or leave, because it won't be any fun for them to mock us if we outnumber them. ;)

Permalink Reply by Annahoops on June 4, 2011 at 12:44pm

That is soo true!!!  Wish you lived in Missouri ! lol

Permalink Reply by Traci "CircularPraise" Bonney on June 4, 2011 at 6:03pm

Wish you lived in Mississippi! ;)  You'd have fun jamming with Khaanee, Halimeda and me.

Permalink Reply by Annahoops on June 5, 2011 at 9:01am

oh my goodness!  I just realized you said Mississippi!!!  I was invited down to Mississippi by the group whole lot of hoopla last month.  Anyways we were going to work out the best time for me to come and stay a couple days.  I need to check where in Mississippi it is again, but maybe you can make it over and meet the group as well.  Will keep you updated

Permalink Reply by Annahoops on June 5, 2011 at 9:02am

Carrolton, MS

Permalink Reply by Cathy B. Hoopin' on June 5, 2011 at 2:57pm

Hey girls....hoops are just taking off here.  My sister, Liz is selling them like hotcakes out of a couple businesses here and her home.  The local newspaper just did a full page article on her company, Whole Lotta Hoopla.   I've been watching videos for a year and would love to learn how to really work the hoop. Most of these ladies buying hoops are buying them for exercise.  I don't think they know how much fun it can really be.  If anyone could get a jam going around here, it would be her.  We'd love to have y'all!

Permalink Reply by Traci "CircularPraise" Bonney on June 5, 2011 at 6:45pm

According to Mapquest, we Coast hoopers are about 5 hours from you, Cathy.  It would be a fun overnight/weekend trip if we could go to Carrollton and jam with y'all, and if Anna can make it too, that would be wonderful.  I'll have to talk to Halimeda about it.  Khaanee might be game for it too, but she still has a ways to go before she's recuperated enough for a trip like that.

 

Also, some of the other MS hoopers might want join us.  We might even be able to make a real event out of it.  Cathy, is there an indoor venue we could use in case the weather isn't good?  Are there places for several of us to stay for a night or two?

 

If we got enough people committed to attending, we might even be able to get someone like Caroleeena or B*Hoops to come teach a workshop.  I realize you were just talking jam and I'm talking full-on hoop retreat, but it might be a possibility.  Just something to consider. :)

Permalink Reply by Cathy B. Hoopin' on June 7, 2011 at 2:02am

Traci...not sure I'm posting this in the right place...hope you find it.  I like the idea of trying to have a jam or retreat here....but I'd feel better if we actually had some experience first.  I'm the only one who's even watched videos.  Here are my thoughts:   My brother lives in Slidell, La and probably minutes from Khaanee.  From what I can tell you are about an hour from her.  That's close enough to you guys that my sister, Liz and I could visit our brother at a time when we could get together and hoop with y'all and learn some basics.  It would be easier trying to get an event together here if we knew more about what we were doing. Don't you, Khaanee, and Halimeda have monthly jams at your church or somewhere?  I've kept up with your videos a bit.  I know Khaanee is a long way from well  so it would be easier for her if we come to you.  I think if we meet with y'all and get some direction, it would be so much easier to try and plan an event here.  We might be able to pull some hoopers from other areas in the state if we figure out how to begin.  Let me know what your thoughts are on this.....Thanks, Cathy