It’s been a LONG time since I hooped on a regular basis. So today when I saw Alicia challenging everyone to “Hoop 30 in August” (see comment below for how to join), I knew this was my chance!

I’m such a perfectionist that I don’t normally join extended challenges, but I love all the people participating and you know I love me some hoopin’. So here I am.

We just flew into Iowa last night to spend 3 weeks with my parents, so I will be doing most of my hooping here. I won’t blog every day, but I will share when I’m inspired. And I sure was tonight!

Knowing that time was ticking away on the day, I ran to the backyard with my hoop (and with Emma in the Boba) did a little warming up. It was dusk and the nearly full moon was shining down. The locusts were playing their song. It was beautiful. This was cut short by two little girls squealing in the bathtub with bubbles half way to the ceiling.

Later on…I finally got Lucy to sleep at  9:30 p.m. I came downstairs and cranked up the music. I would have gone outside, but it was pitch dark and Emma was still up. So I put her in the seat and started my session. Similar to a meditative or prayer time, my mind wandered endlessly in the beginning:

“….I wish I could have brought more hoops on the airplane…I like how swishy this skirt is….I wonder how many calories this is burning….stop thinking about calories silly girl…just flow…ooops…sorry cat….I wish I could hoop like Brecken….I shouldn’t have eaten that spicy food tonight….”

So, as you can see…I wasn’t quite in a zen hooping state of mind.

But as I let myself continue to hoop without interruption, I found myself slipping into that familiar blissful state. The chatter in my mind faded and the words of the music filled my soul. Once again, hooping was like a balm to this frazzled mama.

The next song that played was Joshua Radin’s “Brand New Day” and I laughed out loud when I heard the first verse:

Some kind of magic
Happens late at night
When the moon smiles down at me
And bathes me in its light

Yes!! There is “some of of magic that happens late at night” when a mama picks up her hoop and spins it…even though she is tired.

Even though she is weary from the day’s struggles.
Even when the house is a mess.
Even if  it’s not the perfect setting.
Just hoop!

Join me…let’s all shoot for 30 minutes of hooping a day in August! Join the FB group and join in the fun. If you’re on Instagram, tag your photos with the hashtag #hoop30.

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My playlist for Day 1:

Don’t Wait for Me – Josh Garrels
Zion & Babylon -Josh Garrels
Rejoice and Lament – Josh Garrels
Jacaranda Tree – Josh Garrels
Brand New Day – Joshua Radin
High Tide or Low Tide – Ben Harper and Jack Johnson
Breakdown More – Eric Hutchinson
Fix You – Coldplay
I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz