Trust me on this. You really need Hoda’s words today. And everyday. Hoda Kotb’s I Really Needed This Today is a cozy – and often funny – cardigan you want to wrap yourself in and go about your day. The quotes and insight you find in this book feel equal parts girlfriend and cheerleader, and I couldn’t love this book more.
I Really Needed This Today is meant to be a page-a-day book for the calendar year. But c’mon. I read the first few excepts and was hooked. Like an open bag of Doritos, one isn’t enough for me. I tagged so. many. pages. because, truth! Hoda gets it! There’s no shaming. There’s no ball-bustin’. She shares so much sunlight and strength that I found it hard to put down. And yet, I did to let certain messages sink in.
This book was that perfect push-pull of heart and mind.
Some of my favorites (I’d include a lot more but I’m sure this would get tagged as straight up plagarism, but all in love):
January 13
The elimination diet: Remove anger, regret, resentment, guilt, blame, and worry. Then watch your health, and life, improve. – Charles F. Glassman
Just like sugar and salt, some of that emotional stuff can be addictive, can’t it? When we think about our New Year’s resolutions, maybe we should add cutting back on the negative self-talk, too.
Hoda Kotb, 21
Brilliant idea, right? And being a super Type A nerdsicle here, I love making goals throughout and for the New Year. I am going to remember this for 2021.
January 22
Don’t ruin a good today by thinking about a bad yesterday. Let it go.
We are so over you, Yesterday. Buh-bye!
Hoda Kotb, 30
September 4
Sometimes when you wonder why you can’t hear God’s voice during your trials, remember the teacher is always quiet during the test.
This is comforting, especially when we feel so alone.
Hoda Kotb, 256
This hit me in the muffin top! This sums up my feelings as My Guy and I waited for our baby Hope to come. I kept looking for signs. Looking for things to do to check the list off (see above Type A comment). If I did alllll the things, I could help hurry the process, right? And it was so easy to point the finger and stomp my feet like a toddler because I couldn’t hear the voice directing me on what to do or when our baby would arrive. This is so beautiful. I’m not in charge.
Her excerpt from June 27 is ‘fall in love with someone who doesn’t make you think love is hard.’ This couldn’t be more true and straight outta my journal (if I was smart enough to keep one) from when My Guy and I met. He made everyone else pale in comparison. He made being together an adventure, a journey, a true love story. When I read this in Hoda’s book, it put words to something I was trying to articulate for ages. There was no pretending or trying or wondering. Being in love, being his partner felt (and feels) so easy and natural.
They say you know when you know. And I knew with him. Well said, Hoda. ❤
This book would make such an extraordinary gift for someone else. Someone who loves Hoda (how could you not?), someone who needs some sunshine, someone who loves a cheerleader perched on her shoulder (who doesn’t?) or as a holiday gift. This is book gold.
Have you read other Hoda books? If so, which should I read next?