What I'm Reading:
Yes Please by Amy Poehler:
Yes Please by Amy Pohler is a phenomenal book that has made me both laugh and cry. She tells her life story in three sections: Say Whatever You Want, Do Whatever You Like, and Be Whoever You Are. Read my thoughts!
In Say Whatever You Want, Amy gives an example of an apology letter from the heart versus an apology letter from the brain. Although, it seems rather odd, this comparison truly gave me insight on how insincere I may come across when I am trying to defend myself for something I did wrong. I learned that it is okay to be wrong, as long as you can admit when you are. Still, actually doing this is easier said than done, and I can easily see how my pride can compromise my logical thought process. However, if I use the feelings from my heart over the thoughts in my brain, I can set aside my pride and uncover true sincerity and honesty to resolve various situations.
In Do Whatever You Like, Amy discusses being a mother and giving birth to her first child. She then tells the story of when she was born from her mother’s perspective, and advised me as the reader to find out about the day I was born.
The next time I visited with my mother I asked her, and as she told the story began crying. She said that May 3, 1995, was her favorite day ever because it was the day her world became my world. Although this may not be in direct line with Amy’s intensions, this topic developed into such a meaningful conversion with my mother that I will never forgot throughout my life. As we reminisced on old childhood memories, I realized how grateful I am to have such amazing parents. I never want to venture too far away from my parents because they gave me life, and I want to do everything I can to show them how much I appreciate their love. I know they will do anything for me, and now I want to repay the gratitude and do anything for them!
In Be Whoever You Are, Amy showed me that my own enjoyment in my life is what matters most. My easy-going, lighthearted personality often causes me to be a pushover and people pleaser. I sometimes get stuck in the rut of comparing myself to other girls and wishing I had things I did not. However, though Amy’s experiences in SNL and the Hollywood industry, I have learned to not put so much value on other’s opinions. “You have to care about your work but not about the result. You have to care about how good you are and how good you feel, but not about how good people think you are or how good people think you look.” This quote is my absolute favorite because after all, this is my life and I determine my own happiness!