Being Unapologetically Ourselves. (video post)

by

Alas, People, there is no transcript for this one.

There are no words for the display you see at the video’s end.

Trust me.

It’s the first (and last? probably last.) time captured on camera.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjSsqosu4mw

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Comments

  1. Truly gorgeous post. I’ve actually spent most of the night here at work thinking about who I am and who I’ve been and who I’m becoming. Probably thanks to having Margaret Becker’s song “Clay & Water” being the last one I listened to on my walk in tonight … and it seems that every third blog post I’ve read tonight is just a variation on the theme. The chorus of the song goes “I am clay and I am water Falling forward in this order While the world spins ’round so fast Slowly I’m becoming who I am” (full lyrics can easily be googled). Who I am — unapologetically today and, sadly, not a known fact — is a highly spiritual woman with a profound love for God …and yet cannot claim to be Christian eventhough it was how I was raised (and have multiple clergy members in my family). I’m a Rationalist Unitarian. I’ve been a closeted Rationalist Unitarian for fear of pissing off the aforementioned clergy in my family that (at the present time) I’m still close to … but I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that I have to be, as you so beautifully put it, unapologetically myself about it. Thanks for the extra little shove.

  2. Hmmm … little known fact about me. Let me think?

    Although I’ve been in Australia for the last 40 years, I’m actually English by birth … not many of my Aussie friends pick that, I guess I’ve lost my accent.

  3. I too loved this video and am working to be who I am and not care what other think

    My little known is a widely know: I SING

    Love the clarinet playing.

  4. Love the clarinet! I had no idea!

    Little known, not-usually-for-public consumption fact? Here’s a really silly one: I still have my baby blanket, and still often drape it around my shoulders in the mornings if I’m at the computer before I’m dressed. Like, um, now. It’s getting pretty tattered, as it’s almost 50 years old, but then I’m getting pretty tattered too so I can’t really complain. (Unsurprisingly, I could always relate to Linus on Peanuts).

  5. Wow. I am pretty surprised Miz. I think because you are so I am who I am (shown last week in posts more than ever) I thought we knew everything about you.

    Me? I took ballet for a year as a kid and liked it.

    Only my girlfriend and my parents knew that and now the whole Bumbling Band!

    Fun post.

  6. Thanks for sharing that with us!

    Something not everyone knows about me is that I am a christian chaplain. I work with prostitutes in some of the brothels in my local area.

    Who knew?!

  7. Great one for a Monday morning. I think you look adorable and should post like this more often πŸ™‚ I find myself rocking the pigtails when I teach more and more often these days πŸ˜‰ Love the clarinet playing- I would have never guessed. I was trying to think up a little known fact that was worth posting- I guess its that I secretly love all things math related! My dream job would be sitting around solving large equations all day πŸ˜‰ Kind of nerdy, but true.

    YES- I have had tons of energy since I started eating clean and I cannot tell you how great my tummy feels (in terms of operating) and is starting to look!

  8. I know that you are right about the importance of just being ME yet I find I still try and fit myself to the expectations of others depending on the situation.

    Powerful post as if felt as though you were talking to me.

  9. Ok I need to watch the video again as I was distracted by how you do look like your cartoon.

    I always wondered why you had it drawn that way.

    Stacy

  10. Wow, i’m all “Mr. Holland’s Opus” up in here. Thank you for that!

    About me? I come across and often present myself as touch and independent, but I”m a marshmallow on the inside. Gigantic, tough-talking wuss.

    I love bird watching, too. ( No one knows. shhhhh.) And I listen to public radio more than commercial radio these days. (shhhh.)

  12. LOL @ Linda’s Mr Hollands Opus.

    I needlepoint.

    It isn’t shocking if you don’t know me in real life I don’t think.

    My AUTHENTIC SELF is a tea drinking needle pointer.

    My obvious self isn’t.

    Ouch.
    Too much thinking for a Monday morning, Miz.

  13. Hey Miz,

    Great post and you look awesome. This is a concept we all struggle with. A little unknown fact about me is that at almost 30 yrs old, I still sleep with a baby blanket. I know crazy. But I am well adjusted in most other facets of my life. lol. Have a great day.

  14. Love the clarinet playing! πŸ™‚

    Little known fact about me: I sing along with the radio, loudly, while I’m on the elliptical (and puffed).

    Also, I still have my favorite teddy bear from childhood. It was given to me on my 5th birthday (32 years ago). (It’s not actually mine anymore though as it’s my 6 year old’s favorite teddy bear now.)

  15. ha! who knew? I am a clarinet player too!

    This is a really nice post to watch this morning, I’ve been having these thoughts myself lately and aiming/wanting to be more comfortable in my own skin. Unapologetically myself.

  16. how much do I adore you all chime in & play along?!

    Its so interesting to me how we (the royal. the worldatLARGE) spend so much time not being our true selves & trying to GUESS how others wish for us to be.

    And we claim EXERCISE is hard/tiring?

    Morning calls.

    Cardio calls.

    (And yeah. My authentic self loathes the cardio. My realHEART appreciates it.)

  17. Mizfit! I LOVE this post
    I am Obese by the BMI scales and I have devoted the last year or so to learning to love my body and what its capable of at the same time as trying to shrink it. Why? Because I look into the beautiful innocent eyes of my daughter and no matter what size she grows into and what her strengths and weaknesses in life I want her to be able to love herself…so I had to start role modelling!

    How much better life is when you work with your body and celebrate its strengths.

    My little known fact…I am a chatter and no-one except my husband knows that I am actually really shy!

    Love the post…thanks

  18. This ties in with your Seuss tattoo.

    No one was more his authentic self than Theodore Guiesel (sp?).

    I wonder how the world would react if we all took today to drop our facades and just WERE.

    GREAT VIDEO.

  19. Love this post! It speaks to me and makes me a little sad at the same time. I’m afraid I don’t know who I am. I received a lot of criticism at such an early age that I morphed into a people pleaser. I never got the message that it was OK to BE me. So I don’t really know who ME is.

    I love that you are giving that message to your daughter! Allowing her to BE herself. That is a true gift to her.

  20. Natalia,
    (Bear in mind I’ve a toddler wrestling for handheld so this may be disjointed).

    It is NEVER TOO LATE.

    Until we are deadandgone we can wake up and BE (what’s inside us.).

    Its easier as the Toddler as she has no filters yet.

    No refrains of ‘but society dictates’ echoing in her head.

    However we can still start to let our authentic child open & BLOSSOM (remember that post?) within us.

    And the blessing in YOUR life specifically is your boy!

    As you try different things and allow yourself to explore and BE——-all the unimportant people around you shall assume you’re playing/exploring for him.

    Hope this makes sense….
    Its a topic dear to my heart.

  21. I learn something new everyday. I tried playing the clarinet when I was little, but I never took to it. Seems I’d rather listen to music than play it.

    Little known fact about me–I took fencing lessons for six months and loved it. I’ve always thought of myself as clumsy and ungraceful, but it would seem I have not been giving myself due credit. Cuz I was good at it. πŸ™‚

  23. Hmm really not sure I should do this but here goes.

    My little known fact (even to me) is that I think I actually might want to have a baby after all…. one day and possibly sooner rather than later. It scares the living hell out of me though but that’s a different post eh!!!!

  24. LOVE this post!! I totally agree that it’s when we’re ourselves that we realize we’re worth it!

    Most people know that I’m a musician, I’ve been doing the singer/songwriter, folk/acoustic thing for a while now. BUT what most people don’t know, is that I first got into music by playing in punk bands! I was a hardcore punk rocker back in the day. This usually surprises people when I tell them because it’s so not in line with the image I project today. But I’m proud of my punk rock roots! πŸ™‚

  25. MAN I LOVE YOU GUYS.
    (gocrazyladygo!)

    It does take chutzpah, as my people say, to be who you are without apology (can you guess my fave Seuss quote?)—-but it’s only then (as I lovingly ramble above) that all else slides into place.

    And YES.

    Finally.

    My book is coming on this.

    (Hello Vision Board!)

  26. Love the post!! I’m still trying to find my authentic self. I am just now learning that it’s ok to be just me and I don’t have to pretend to be anthing else for someone else.

    Little known fact? I love hip hop and gangsta rap. I am a thirty something conservitive white girl, and I just can’t get enough of it. Unfortunately, I don’t get to listen to it like I used to. The language is obviously not appropriate for my kiddos.

  27. You are a beautiful clarinet player!!! I have to admit I was set to cringe when you picked it up because woodwinds done badly first thing in the a.m. are a bit jarring but you did fab! Very smooth & beautiful. And you’re right – I had no idea you had that in you:)

    Beautiful post too – I love the positivity in it.

    Something little known about me? I was an illustration major in college for a while and I still love to draw. People are my favorite subjects although I’m not very good at it (hence the major change!)

  28. I’m always myself, frequently recognized in public by people who usually only see me at the gym or the elementary school.

    Little known fact: I’m the dictator/organizer/mediator of a monthly book club. (This month: The Zookeeper’s Assistant by Diane Ackerman)

  29. This is fantastic. It really is all about being ourselves. It’s the best thing we could ever do, for us and all those around us, to play our figurative clarinets and wear our bandannas for all to see.

    Little known fact: I love watching kung-fu movies, any kind, any quality.

  30. Crazylady, it kinda creeps up on you. I remember feeling the exact same way when I decided/admitted that I wanted a baby!

    Miz, you’re doing a book, did I read that right? A BOOK?! Yay!!!

  31. I dance. In the kitchen. By myself.

    I am not a dancer, but I like to see how many revolutions I can get out of one twirl. My personal best? Three. Like I said, I’m not a dancer.

  32. This is something that really speaks to me. I just went on vacation with someone I would have called a friend…except that he freaked out at me several times. Tried to make me feel like I was wrong about everything and out of line for daring to contradict him. It took a lot to realize that it had nothing to do with me or who I am and everything to do with his messed issues. I don’t need to apologize for who I am. Take it or leave it.

    Oh, and great words towards Natalia. As always πŸ™‚

  33. Well there are some things in my closet… a clarinet for one, but I happily use my musical talent in a community band. Music is a big part of my life that I have always embraced.

    As for being my “self” I am working on figuring out who I am and my skin is fitting better little by little. For one thing, I am not as shy as I thought (especially when I turn off those filters and the inner dialogue).

  34. Wow, a woman of many, many talents. I always love the ‘no-holds-barred’ approach you have to life. LIVE it, LOVE it, LEARN it.
    The ‘unapologetic’ truth shall set you free!

    Hmm.. lil’ know fact about me??

    At one point in time in my life.. I was an engineering student – studying mechanical engineering.

    Woah.

    Thanks for the HUGE share.

  35. OH, but what quirky things do I do? Besides sing, very loudly, in the car? I used to think I could sing..until a friend’s home karaoke machine said otherwise. I don’t care though…love to do it!

  36. I don’t know why but that post totally brought tears to my eyes! Here I am, typing through them! (Does that mean I need to work on being unapologetically myself?)

    I used to play the clarinet but gave it up in 10 grade πŸ™

    Little known fact: my parents were full-on hippies and when I was 5 we traveled all around the western part of the US in their van. This meant that I started kindergarten a few months late. I think I caught up, though.

  37. Not sure if this is what you mean but I’ve always longed to be a teacher.

    I think that would be being my authentic self & is definitely little known.

    I’m too far down a different career path I fear.

    Love the bandanna.

  39. Loved the post.

    Okay, I sleep with a blankie. I have almost every night of my life (except the 2 times when I left it at my parents’ house and went back to college), and am unable to fall asleep without it (the first time I left it, I was massively sick and on meds that knocked me out, and the second time, someone lent me a really really big heavy flashlight that I totally used as a nightlight). When it falls out of the bed, I have bad dreams.

  41. I rarely comment here, Miz but I loved this post.
    It is why I come here and why I listen to your thoughts at all.

    You are so comfortable with who you are ev en when people (comments) do not agree.

  42. Fabulous video!!! Love the message and love the clarinet playing — my 13-year-old daughter is a serious clarinet player and I can’t wait to show her the proof that strong, kick-butt women do, in fact, play the clarinet ;-).

    I feel most myself when I’m getting my giggle on. Got in trouble a lot for it growing up, but I can’t help it — I usually see the humor in life.

    Can’t wait to read your book. I know it’s coming.

  43. Love the post!

    I write songs. No one (well, aside from the boy who lives on the other side of my wall) really knows this. Late at night, I sit at my piano and sing. My guard is down and I’m 100% me.

  44. Love this post and love you!! I really need to start doing this. Knowing my health comes first, otherwise I’m no good to anyone. Thank you!

  45. I love it! Thanks for sharing πŸ™‚

    My little known fact is… I was born without a sense of smell. Most of the time I just fake it and oooh and aaah with people so that I don’t have to explain.

  46. Love the post.
    My little -known fact?
    I cry at Star Trek. Some of the episodes from TOS, at ST IV, and when the Enterprise is ordered to report for decommissioning.

  47. Love this! We really do need to spread the love and share our appreciation for each other and ourselves more often. Thanks for playing the clarinet for us πŸ˜€

    A little known fact about me is that I read tarot cards. And, more than that, I believe in them too. But I also have a huge amount of skepticism for people who just read cards for money or who feel the need to turn it into some kind of “show” with being all mystique and such; as soon as that happens, I’m turned off and don’t think that they’re actually listening to themselves, the cards, or the other person.

    And I kind of feel the same way about self help books. The Secret is something I live by and have always lived, long before the book came out. When I tried reading the book, I got totally turned off by it- it felt like a huge marketing ploy and it made the whole notion of a book saying that seem a little dirty, like the whole POINT of the secret was removed.

    That’s just one way of looking at it, though; I know that I’m in the minority. Which is a good thing, because that way more people CAN appreciate the book and live their lives that way.

  48. Wonderful post and oh so true!! My little known fact is that I spontaneously break out in to song and dance throughout the day in my apartment πŸ™‚ What can I say … music gets me groovin!

  49. I’m late to the commenting today.
    Can you see me all the way down here?? LOL

    Some days I think that a little known fact about me is that I was someone before I become a mom.

    I am more than a mother to my twins.

    I need to get back to being ME ME ME.

    Thank you Miz for the reminder.

    I will buy your book regardless of what it’s about.

    Bea

  50. Great video! Love the clarinet. I played when I was younger (mom was my music teacher).

    Let’s see, little known fact about me? I met hubby when he stayed at the hotel I worked at. We dated long distance, every other weekend for 3 months, got married and we just celebrated 12 years this past New Year’s Eve.

  51. Loved this post, Miz!!

    Love the clarinet-playing – you did very well.

    Little-known fact about me? Well, as you (and some of the bumbling band) know, I live on a ranch and raise cattle. And I’m afraid of horses. We have two horses, and I love them, feed them and care for them. But won’t ride them.

  52. I love your bandanna look!
    I second whomever said above that you should rock it more often.

    I am an open book, Miz.
    Which I am choosing to view a I am being my real self always.

    Hope so!

  53. wow.

    yep.

    that’s it. reading. nodding. and YES kinda surprised at some! wonder if you were “surprised” I whipped out the clarinet as well πŸ™‚

  54. CLARINET! Thank you! πŸ˜€ I saw a sneak preview of this on Youtube earlier today (it only had 5 views at the time :D) and was waiting for this post to come up πŸ˜€ That was awesome!

    What style of music do you enjoy playing more on the clarinet? Have you ever written your own music? If so, have you ever recorded it?

    Little known fact about me… well there’s not a whole lot I try to keep secret if it’s something that I like about myself. πŸ™‚ Oh, well, I’m in the process of gathering material (Coke cans) for an art project (a wall of Coke cans, used sort of like pixels to make a picture).

  55. Great post Mizfit. I really like the idea of being comfortable in your own skin…I think it carries over to the rest of your life. Finding things we love to do and feeling good as you are are critical to figuring out who we really are inside and who we want to be.

    Little know fact about me…I can sing. Pretty well actually…I rarely sing now outside of the shower and my house (and while I run) but I was in touring choirs and choral groups all thru school and university…I miss it sometimes. I love at Easter when they invite people up to sing the hallelujah chorus…I still have it memorized and love belting it out with a huge choir again:). There’s something about raising your voice along with a group of others in harmony…feels great.

  56. Such a great post today! I never apologize for being me. In fact, every time my husband gives me that “you’re crazy” look I tell him that he knew what he was getting when he married me πŸ™‚

  57. Wow, this is a great post, Miz! My best friend in high school played clarinet (she teaches high school music class now, so that’s so cool)

    I’m pretty transparent, really. I’ve never been afraid to do what I wanted, or be who I wanted to be. If I wanted to do rock climbing, I did that (and I did it and enjoyed it…. hmmm. maybe I should get back into it now that I’m normal weight and wouldn’t have to haul my 200+ pound backside up a cliff… hmmm!)

    I guess as far as what people don’t generally know about me… I’m somewhat jealous of people who have faith in god, after being an unabashed atheist for years; but the person who’s helped me feel closest to god and the whole idea of faith, is a jewish rabbi. So, I’m considering converting.

  58. mizfit ~ can i tell you how much i adore this post?! it’s so true, i really need to start thinking about how to be unapologetically myself!!!!!!!

    i love that you played the clarinet for us all πŸ™‚ What a great talent, it makes me want to pick up playing the piano again!

  59. Wait a minute… I thought I was promised knitting? Or is your clarinet playing your knitting? Doesn’t matter. LOVED IT

    In my element? I sing along to the musak in the stores. Often harmonizing.

  60. Love it Miz. Had no idea you were musically inclined. So fun to learn something new about you.

    Hmm, little known fact about me…I love to paint. Watercolors, acrylic, whatever. It’s such a stress release for me, and I wish took the time to do it more often.

  61. You are unapologetically beautiful inside and out!

    I also play(ed) the clarinet, though not quite as beautifully as you. You should know that Gracie immediately started dancing ballet as soon as you started playing πŸ˜‰

    I am unapologetically a fantastic mother. I am better at that than anything else I do, but I strongly believe that it is because I do do many other things, so that I’m able to be happy and balanced with my girls.

    Have a great day–you are an INSPIRATION to me on so many levels.

  62. Being able to play an instrument well is such a gift! It’s so joyful. Thank you for sharing that with us.

    Me? I like to draw. I don’t have a lot of talent, but that’s probably what keeps it light and fun.

  63. I just love this post and your whole attitude on life. I think the closer I get to 40 the more I’m becoming unapologetic about who I am. With that said, I’m fiercely hard on myself when I make a mistake and that’s where my growth still needs to happen.

    I am unapologetically a music nut and a gym rat. The two go hand-in-hand for me. There are days when I do not get off the treadmill for an extra 10 minutes because I’m getting to listen to my favorite songs! Because I only work part-time from home and split the rest of the time being a SAHM, this is my only Ipod time and I cherish it completely! I don’t like running into people I know at the gym, because I’m in my own world and that’s my time–unapologetically!

  64. Loved your clarinet playing, I use to play as a kid myself but haven’t since I was about 11, brought back memories *smile*.

    I’ll have to give some thought to your question. I do know I need to work on being more myself and doing more of the things that make me happiest.

  65. Me? I like to draw. I don’t have a lot of talent, but that’s probably what keeps it light and fun.

    this line is a theme in a way so far and, I think, really important as well.

    so many things I enjoy (climbing, yoga, SINGING) Im not great at and you nailed it, TFH, when you said it keeps it light and fun.

    A part of me.
    A piece of what makes me who I am.
    and no drivepressure to have it DEFINE me.

  66. Hi Miz, I also loved this post. I have tried for a long time to be my authentic self. Ever since I realized as a young adult that the authors/speakers that I liked the best were the ones that were just themselves, and shared their failures as well as their successes.

    But it is so easy to get roped back into ‘fitting in’ with a certain group.

    I’ve been thinking all this time about what I could share that people don’t already know (I think I blab enough about EVERYTHING about myself…)

    Maybe people don’t know that I love ballroom dancing, and that someday I would like to try it. I used to re-run the ballroom scenes in ‘The King and I’ and ‘The Unsinkable Molly Brown’ over and over. And, of course, now I watch Dancing with the Stars faithfully!

  67. Little known fact…I was my school mascot for for years. Actually, no one knew accept the athletic director who cornered me to do it. Loved acting the part of the Cardinal, not so much wearing the tights though.

    Why did I know you played clarinet? Must just be you “sound” like a musician.

  68. Video wasn’t available, but I do need to work on being me. Back in the groove again. Missed checking in on you! Glad you are well & being YOU!

  69. Love this post! This is the highest goal I have – however, coming to grips with my true self when packed with excess pounds because I WASN’T being my true self is somewhat of a Catch 22 for me.

    Little known fact about me? Sometimes I can make people laugh so hard that milk/coffee/water/cosmos come out of their nose.

  72. Love the post – AND the clarinet! Who knew?!

    The thing no one would guess about me? I’m shy and introverted. Like, REALLY introverted.

    And I’m a freakin’ Martha Stewart clone. If it’s a stereotypically “feminine” thing, I like it: cooking, decorating, sewing, all that stuff. People who know me in real life are always FLOORED about that! LOL!

  73. Timely post for me as Ive been really working to not care what others think as much lately.

    It is hard.

  74. Ahhh I love it – I’m a former fellow woodwind player. Alto saxophone through grade school πŸ™‚ I miss it!

    Unapologetically myself? Hm, most people wouldn’t guess that I am in love with golf. It’s been instilled in me from my parents. I love playing it, watching it, learning more about it, etc. Most people would fall asleep out of boredom while watching a tournament on TV. I actually get COMFORT out of watching it – and if I fall asleep, it’s because I’m so content watching and listening to the announcers that I am at the utmost state of relaxation. Ahh, just thinking about it makes me smile. I can’t wait for the Masters this weekend!

  75. Nice clarinet playing. I haven’t played my flute since high school, but I was first chair and a soloist!

    I am unapologetically comfortable at home. Upon arrival, I immediately change into comfy clothes and slippers and remove my jewelry.

  77. I used to play clarinet myself, although I don’t think I was ever that good at it. We had two clarinet players in my junior high band and I made first chair only because I squeaked less than the other girl! lol

    My little known fact is that I have no balance skills! Nada!! If I have to balance on something I am not going to last. I love that about me though. I am working to improve my balance for fitness sake but I also get a laugh out of myself every time I wobble. It really must look amusing to others to see me laughing at myself as I try so hard to stay on my feet!

    Loved this video Miz!

  78. I’m left thinking of a song I really like: Englishman in New York by Sting.

    “Be yourself no matter what they say…”

    Can you play it?

    Wondrous post…a splendid way to begin the week.

  79. what a great post!

    Something about me…

    Although I don’t sing anymore (except to the radio), I was in chorus for 8 years of my life and miss it so much. I got to sing in some amazing competitions and had some great friends in those groups.

  81. awesome post (and clarinet solo – that was great!) … hmm. a little known fact about me is that i can sing (never usually comes up, as there are many people who are very extroverted about singing and really like to belt out the tunes and/or have been in acapella groups and stuff). but i rarely ever do it, except when i’m being unapologetically myself (i.e. when playing rock band!).

  82. Great post! I’m also trying to raise my toddler to love herself for who she is and I want to set a good example by being healthier and more active. You are an inspiration.

  83. i had to watch the video twice. once i realized i spent the first minute and a half bitterly thinking “yeah, if i looked like you i would appreciate the real me too”.

    then i said SHUT UP FOOL and listen to the message!! i did, and am very grateful for it. And for you:)

    little known fact about me: i dreamed of becoming a lawyer.

  84. Lisa? I LOVE YOUR COMMENT.

    For me it really was only when I became comfortable in my own skin that all else DID fall into place.

    Fitness. Dating. Workstuff etc.

    It spiraled for me.
    In a great way.

  85. LOVE the fact that you are so candid!

    Reminds me of a little sign I have hanging in my office (one of my favorites) that says, “The older I get, the more I feel like myself!”

  86. Wow, I’ve played that so many times; it was almost surreal to hear you start it.

    My flute-playing best friend will be here next week for a few days, so I will get my twice-annual duet fix, too…

    On of these days when my life is a little less insane, I’m going to start playing in the college orchestra. It’s been a very long time.

    Anyway, I think that the thing that I most love about me is not so much an unexpected thing but that after decades of allowing every stupid thing to make me insane, I’ve managed to attain a degree of inner calm that is *real*, not just a way that I think I “should” be.

  87. Really a very great post & a thought provoking one. A known fact about me is that I am not apologetic for my obsession with working out & being fit for as long as I can do it.

    Little know fact. I am really very insecure & always see something to be fixed. I am not so comfortable with myself & your response above to Lisa really hit home.

    Just starting my blog & trying to feel that I have something to offer has been my biggest challenge. I hope with time that the things I am working on fall into place as you described above. At least I am trying now vs. my old stand by of fear of failure.

  88. UH OH NINA πŸ™‚
    then you know I kinda trailed off and spaced out at end…

    love that you know it.

    Jody? and Giz (below) I hate to get all Oprah up in herre but I firmly believe it: BY VIRTUE OF SIMPLY BEING YOU YOU ARE UNIQUE AND HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER.

    that is precisely what I am hoping to convey to the Tornado. She, alone, is enough.

    Miz.

  89. Miz… what a brave soul you are. Very inspiring indeed. Like Jody – my challenge is figuring out what I might have to offer the world. It’s been a long search, not as productive as I might like, but I keep on keepin’ on.

  90. um, great question. many people know that i grew up in the country but few know that i was a rodeo queen and i rode horses and barrel raced as a young child.

  91. I love this post, and your clarinet playing. I tried playing the clarinet in 6th grade, but the reed and I never became friends, so I gave up. πŸ™‚

    One surprising thing about myself is that I can quote the opening lines of the General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales in Middle English and the first several lines of Beowulf in Old English. I’m a medieval-loving nerd.

  92. As always, thx for reading all posts & responding. You are one amazing lady.. and by the way, you look AEWSOME!!! From a person that likes to see muscle, I love it.

  93. You look adorable!

    I think age helps a lot with accepting yourself and feeling comfortable in your own skin. I look at my kids, and I know they will have to go through puberty, which is the very definition of feeling awkward. I feel bad for them, but I also know I’m giving them all the tools I possibly can to love themselves as they are.

  94. I love it. My little known is hard to come up with, I’m pretty much an open book.

    Lesse – I fancy myself a damn good amateur poker player in casual tournaments. I have never come away from a Texas Hold ‘Em experience without winning money.

  95. What a lovely little serenade! ::applause!applause!::

    I had one answer in mind, but I realized I can’t use it because I don’t do it unapologetically. So I’ll go with my second (and safer) answer: I love old 70s cop shows: The Rookies, Starsky & Hutch, Rockford Files–the classics. I am convinced I was a detective in a previous life.

  96. Why did watching your video, Miz, and reading all the comments make me feel all choked up?

    I think the thing that would really surprise people–and I was surprised by this myself–was how much I enjoyed my time as a stay-at-home mom. Most people have always seen me as a very focused “career person.” Going back to work when I did was a good move for our family as a whole, and probably the best timing, but I sometimes miss being the one at home. I think the thing I miss the most was what you mentioned to Natalia: “As you try different things and allow yourself to explore and BE-all the unimportant people around you shall assume you’re playing/exploring for him [commenter’s son].” That was so very true for me: I loved all the spontaneous beachcombing, playing at the park, bubble-blowing, reading kids’ books, impromptu picnics, playing with play-dough, doodling…all things I do for me as well as my kids. Waking up to, “Hmmm…what shall we play today?” That’s a little harder to fit into a work/school week.

    I think this spirit of exploration has luckily, for me, transferred over into the realm of food and fitness…trying to figure out how to keep them “light and fun” while also doing the serious work of getting healthy.

  97. Hmm. What is there about me that no one knows about? I secretly think I’m the coolest person I know. I LOVE to sing out loud in the car (at the top of my lungs). But I think the best thing about me that no one knows is that one day I want to own & operate a cupcake bakery in Manhattan. Cupcakes rule!!

  99. You always look so cute! Great post. Hmmm….little known fact about me? I love taking classes, for credit or for fun. In the last few years I’ve taken oil painting, sewing, public speaking, sacred and profane literature and Indian cooking, just to name a few. Always a pleasure to check in with Miz.

  100. Lovely post and you’re adorable with your clarinet. I played the clarinet briefly in middle school but I always resented it (because I wanted something else but the band teacher gave it to me based on the fact I had an overbite). Then I really wanted the saxophone but I was too small for that, I guess. So I never really embraced my clarinet (metaphorically–OK, not literally, either).

    Um, hmmm, I generally like myself but now I’m struggling to think why. OK, here’s one thing. I’m generally shy and really an introvert, but I’ve never avoided taking risks and making big changes or even stepping onto a stage. I’ve never needed to be told to step outside my comfort zone.

  101. I love to bellydance and I wish I had continued with classes. I have dvds and I just am not motivated to do it on my own. So while I’m in my studio designing a new tattoo or my next piece of jewelry, I’ll play some music and bust out some belly rolls or contractions!
    Gonna whip out my coin scarf and zils and get back into it!
    thanks for the inspiration.
    Good luck with your tat, btw- if you have any questions please let me know.
    Jill

  102. Oh Miz, I am not comfortable in my own skin, but unapologetically I love my daughter. Not long after my husband passed away, a kind of miracle put the idea of adopting from China in my path. I followed that path to meet my meant to be baby. She is the bat mitzvah girl next year. I am on my new path so that she has a mother for a really long time. I want to be comfortable myself too.

  103. how cool miz! i took piana thru hs. i hated practicing, but wish i still did it now! i also skated for a year or so… even got to wear a polka dot costume πŸ™‚ (yes that’s pretty much all i remember!)

  104. Love it! As you already know Miz I also dance and was unapologetically myself when I performed 8-mos pregnant. Person I shocked most was myself. Now, so glad I did.

  105. I had no idea you had a musical bone in your body! What a great surprise! I have no such talent (of which I’m aware, anyway….maybe it’s very, very deeply hidden).

  106. My dog was asleep in my office chair during the video UNTIL the clarinet playing began. She peeked her head up and turned it side to side as if to ask, “Music for ME this morning, mama?” Too cute.

    How timely as I just dressed my teen in a tux at this early hour and got him out he door to play music at UIL.

    Little known fact: even though I plan large events and parties for a living, my choice of evening is curled in a down chaise lounge with a book or knitting–many people are quite perplexed by this from me.

  107. This post and all the great comments which followed it really hit the spot for me today. Thanks MizFit & Band!

    I play the clarinet – and a whole bunch of other instruments – badly. I play them anyway, along with the two or three I’m actually good at, because I enjoy the heck out of it. (And because I help the kids practice.)

    There’s also my love of experimental cooking. And a growing friendship with the athlete I found trapped inside myself a couple years ago.

  108. Aw this was great. I love that you teach toddler to love herself. She will be a great woman one day.

    I unapolagetically sing and dance in the car. A lot. ANd I love it!

  109. this is seriosuly an incredibly post! I find myself too often being a “people-pleaser” while sacrificing the time that I could have spent exercising or preparing healthy meals.

    a little known fact about me is that I used to be a competitive figure skater =)

    thanks so much for this post – it really brightened my day!

  110. I was a punk once upon a time. I used to spike my hair and dye it pink. I loved that no one would sit next to my on the subway. The dye was temporary, so that by Monday, I would return to work looking boring and normal. I’m still not the conforming type – never have been, never will be. Thus, probably why I rejected all *formal* diet plans and went out on my own and why that worked best.

  111. This is a great post! Lately I’ve been all kinds of unapologetically myself. Like when I work out during my lunch break and then sit in my post-workout funk until 5 when my fiance’ gets home (I work from home) or when I crawl into bed at 4pm on a gorgeous sunny Sunday because I’m obsessed with the book I’m reading. Or when I spend way too much money on a bathing suit (shoes, clothes etc) because I “just feel like it.”

    Little known facts about me: I met my fiance’ in a bar (yes ladies, it DOES happen) and I’m a classically trained opera singer (although now I only sing at weddings and karaoke).

    Well done with the clarinet! I’m impressed! I’ll tell you I’m a singer but there’s no way in hell I’m putting up a video post! πŸ™‚

  112. Up until a few hundred years ago, and especially tens of thousands of years ago in the hunter-gatherer days, when we were all living in small communities, I’m sure everyone had a much stronger sense of self. They had a more clearly defined place to fill in society that they could take pride in. There was probably much less feeling of being replaceable. Everything we ourselves had to offer must have been valuable in some way.

    Nowadays feeling comfortable in our own skin is no longer second nature but a skill that we have to re-learn. Thanks for this post, MizFit.

    The other day I put on my jimbei (a casual Japanese garment of cloth shorts and a karate gi-style top) and my Vibram Fivefingers and did some shopping downtown with no shame.

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  4. […] do that? I didnt think you the type!” talent and, since Ive already serenaded you with my mad clarinet playing skillz, the only talent which remained is captured […]

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