You’ve probably heard the expression “kid’s say the darndest things”, coined and mainstreamed by hula hoop entrepreneur Art Linkletter and further popularized by Bill Cosby on his TV show of the same name? Well, it is no exception at my house.
Take this recent conversation on our car ride to school for example. The boys were talking about super heroes and decided that my oldest would be Ironman, my youngest would be The Incredible Hulk and that I would be a Super Hooper (and they weren’t referring to Lara and Droo). I was surprised that they had included me in their fabulous club of world saving crusaders, but I was even more curious as to what they considered to be my super powers. To them it was obvious – I would create tornado force winds with my hoop and tunnels while spinning that would knock villains off their feet and into another dimension. Not only that, but I also had Ninja skills with my hoops that could defeat any foe. I was floored by their well thought out plans for me in their mission to save the world. The conversation later transitioned into a great teaching moment for them, and everyone, to explore how we could all be super heroes through our actions. And as we talked more about what qualities a super hero exhibits, I began to see that all over the planet we hoopers are indeed saving the world!
Take this recent conversation on our car ride to school for example. The boys were talking about super heroes and decided that my oldest would be Ironman, my youngest would be The Incredible Hulk and that I would be a Super Hooper (and they weren’t referring to Lara and Droo). I was surprised that they had included me in their fabulous club of world saving crusaders, but I was even more curious as to what they considered to be my super powers. To them it was obvious – I would create tornado force winds with my hoop and tunnels while spinning that would knock villains off their feet and into another dimension. Not only that, but I also had Ninja skills with my hoops that could defeat any foe. I was floored by their well thought out plans for me in their mission to save the world. The conversation later transitioned into a great teaching moment for them, and everyone, to explore how we could all be super heroes through our actions. And as we talked more about what qualities a super hero exhibits, I began to see that all over the planet we hoopers are indeed saving the world!
One thing I love hoopers for is their ability to gift hoops generously. I can’t count how many times I have seen someone just hand over a hoop to a newbie, a friend, or a child, just because they knew how much joy that plastic circle would bring. And let’s not forget about the annual and largest hoop give-a-away to date, World Hoop Day. Talk about Super Heroes!! The picture engrained in my mind is of the children in Gaza holding their handmade hoops high with smiles wide. Gifting hula hoops changes lives.
Hoopers across the globe have instinctively formed communities to share skills, have jams, and sometimes form deeper relationships. It’s not only the individuals who have the leadership and perseverance to start these groups who are the champions in my book, but those who welcome new members. Coming to a jam of an established hooping community can be intimidating. Just one hooper introducing themselves and showing someone the ropes can make all the difference in the world. Communities of all kinds are vital to our planet and as M. Scott Peck, MD, an expert on community development, once said, “In and through community lies the salvation of the world.” Think you aren’t a hooper super hero? Think again!
If you pick up the newspaper and start reading, it doesn’t take long to see that there’s a lot of unhappiness in this world. Hooping, however, is a super hero portal bringing others out of the villainous dark world and back into their happy place. It’s no secret that hooping is fun. Heck – it is really hard not to smile while hooping. The feeling of peace that can come from hooping is profound! If you’re helping others step inside a plastic circle, you’re changing the world! A regular hooping practice has even been reported to relieve depression and anxiety.
Today there is also an epidemic of obesity, even among children. If you’re getting people hooping you’re getting people exercising, reducing heart disease, battling diabetes and a myriad of other physical problems that are a major threat to our well-being. Everywhere we look we can see hoopers who have lost ten, twenty, fifty, a hundred pounds as a result of hooping it up regularly. These people in turn have inspired others to give it a spin. Thanks to hooping super heroes like you the world is also become a healthier place.
When you share hooping with someone or encourage a hooper to keep up with their regular practice, it can have a monumental effect upon their life. Perhaps you’ll never know the difference made, but let’s face it – a true Super Hero Hooper isn’t in it for the glory. Whether you change one life, many or simply your own – I can pretty much guarantee you are a Hooper Super Hero. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving the world and making it a better place to live in.
