Why I Want to Hug Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler is a goddess.

Just look at her.

She even looked good in the 90's.

NO one looked good in the 90’s.  The only beautiful people were on Seinfeld as Jerry’s various girlfriends (there were at least 45).

But Amy Poehler.  She remains as a shining beacon of light and hope and humor.

Poehler started her career as a member of The Second City improv troupe in Chicago.  She then went on to be a part of the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York before being cast to Saturday Night Live in 2001.  All of this, and she was 30.  And hilarious.

Just watch:

As well as her extensive comedy career, Poehler is known for roles on Mean Girls, Blades of Glory, Arrested Development, and most recently starring as Councilwoman Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation.

I am obsessed.

Not only has her career been one that I would drown a bag of puppies to have, Amy Poehler is responsible for one of my favorite Pinterest finds (more on Pinterest later).

This is that picture.

How empowering is that?  In a world full of people saying that teenage girls, and women in general, need to be skinny and curvy and smart but demure and just generally self-contradictory, it’s nice to see a woman so successful say it’s fine to be silly, and you should feel good doing so.  I just want to give her a big thank you hug for making this okay.

This statement has contributed to the way I personally view my life.  “Looking silly” doesn’t bother anyone else, and doing what you love no matter the opinions others may have is what is truly important.  I have found that it is much more fruitful to put myself out there and look a little bit dumb and have a blast than it is to sit back and say “I *could* have done that.”  It is my personal belief that, in that way, success is defined by the individual.

And if this is success, I’m okay with that too.