You and 23 Others Like This

I’m a Woo Hoo Girl! In the middle of an aerobics class, I get wound up and can’t help but shout “Woo Hoo!” I was talking to a girl at the Y, and she said how much she liked so-and-so’s class because she was calm and didn’t talk too much or hoot and holler. I told her she might not want to take my class, then. “Oh, are you a Woo Hoo Girl?” Yes, yes I am.

I’m a people pleaser. The “like” button is my friend. When I see that someone “like”d what I said, it makes me happy! One of my blog posts got 23 “like”s. Woo Hoo!! I suppose this could be a good trait to have, but it has also been debilitating. I’m so concerned whether people like me or not that I’ve altered my personality at times. Whenever I post something, a status update, a blog post or even a comment to someone else’s post, I get anxious. I have turned my thoughts into words and put myself out there. What if I offend someone? What if they think I’m stupid? What if they don’t like me?

One day in high school, I was riding in the car with my mother. Evidently, I was having some concerns about someone who didn’t like me. “You know, there are people who don’t like your grandfather.” What??? That’s absurd! Everyone likes Papaw! He was former Mayor of Athens, a war veteran, radio personality, newspaper columnist and current McMinn County Trustee, to just name a few of his positions in the community. When we’d go out to dinner it would take forever to get out of the restaurant. Papaw would know everyone and take the time to stop and talk to them. Seriously, how could anyone not like him?

Chuck Redfern was a devout Christian, committed Republican and avid UT fan. He didn’t hesitate to share his ideas and positions. No person on earth could have these convictions and not be opposed by someone. So what is the alternative? Back away from what you stand for so you don’t offend anyone? For my grandfather? Not a chance. He wouldn’t have been the person he was if he was concerned about pleasing everyone.

So, while I get a little nervous and hope no one skips my class due to my overzealous personality, I will not change who I am. So, if you like me, great! If not, well, there’s always so-and-so’s class.

I am who I am. And to that I shout, Woo Hoo!!!!