In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving

Have you seen Michael Oher today? According to Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy in their new book, we pass by "Michaels" everyday. We just don't take the time to really see them. Sean Tuohy in speaking about the Touhy's Popcorn Theory says, "The Popcorn Theory is about noticing others. It starts with recognizing a fellow soul by the roadside as kindred, even if he doesn't seem to belong in your gated community and, at six foot five and over three hundred pounds, is the biggest piece of popcorn you ever saw. It's about acknowledging that person's potential and value. It's about seeing him, instead of looking past him." After many have read Michael Lewis's book The Blind Side and seen the movie starring Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy and Tim McGraw as Sean Tuohy, we think we know this family. Through In a Heartbeat, the Tuohy family seeks to tell the story of their family in their own words. I so enjoyed this book, because each member of the Tuohy family speaks about their experience. Sean and Leigh Anne write the main chapters and in between each chapter is an interlude written by Tim McGraw, Sandra Bullock, Collins Tuohy (daughter), Sean Junior (son) and even Michael Oher himself. The chapters are written in an easy going conversational style. The reader gets a glimpse into the upbringing and circumstances that shaped Sean and Leigh Anne and what developed this deep understanding they have of the importance of cheerful giving. They truly are a shining example of what it means to give yourself away and not just your money. As a parent, I appreciated how open Sean and Leigh Anne were in the book about how they raised Collins and SJ and the kind of people they hoped they would be. The Touhy's son and daughter were challenged to give something away in exchange for every privilege they had. They went to camps in the summer like every other kid in the neighborhood, but their first stop many summers was to the Camp of the Rising Son down in Choctaw Mississippi, which was a camp for underprivileged kids. The Sean and Leigh Anne wanted their children to "get a dose of reality, so that they wouldn't be too sequestered by comfortable circumstances." Leigh Anne shares at one point in the book that one of the questions they get asked alot is how did Collins, SJ and Michael accept one another as brothers and sister without resentment. This is part of her answer: "One possible answer is that we all laughed a lot. Another is that Collins and SJ were open to Michael because they hadn't been raised in total privilege and prosperity. When they were younger, they saw us struggle economically, so they grew up with some sense for how hard we worked and how fortunate they were. We also tried hard not to sequester them socially - because when you're socially sequestered, you're susceptible to stereotypes and to viewing a lot of people as 'others.' We never wanted our kids to view anyone as an 'other.'" I highly recommend this book! You

I absolutely loved this book! I thoroughly enjoyed the movie The Blind Side and the true inspirational story behind it. But this books allows people to hear directly from Leigh Anne and Sean. They talk about their childhoods and the financial struggles they had early on in their marriage - and even during the time when Michael first came into their lives. They also share about the Christian faith that's behind their passion to give ... whether it's time, money, energy, or whatever ... whether it's a little or a lot. There are also interludes between chapters where you hear firsthand from their kids - Collins, Michael, and SJ - and from Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. The book does talk some about the movie, but it really talks about the story behind the movie. The book is moving, funny, and honest, and I felt like I knew Leigh Anne and Sean personally after reading it. It was a very quick read. I would have read it straight through in one sitting but family and work kept pulling me away. :) I would HIGHLY recommend the book to anyone! I received a copy of this book from The B & B Media Group for free in exchange for my fair and honest review of the book.

Oh. My. Goodness. I loved the film The Blind Side, but I really loved In a Heartbeat. Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy share their story, in their words. The chapters alternate between Sean's voice and Leigh Anne's voice, as well as several chapters they write together. All three Tuohy children: Collins, Michael and S.J., as well as Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw each write something as well. Sean and Leigh Anne share a strong faith in God and a strong belief in making a difference. I love Sean's Popcorn Theory about noticing others: that, "you can't help everyone. But you can try to help the hot ones who pop up right in front of your face." The Tuohy's didn't plan on stopping to pick up Michael Oher, they didn't plan on giving him a home and they didn't plan on adopting him. They are very open about the fact that their decision to stop and pick him up changed their lives, in a heartbeat. The Tuohy's share their stories; how they each grew up and the experiences that shaped them. They believe in being cheerful givers and in raising their children to be cheerful givers. In a Heartbeat is an inspiring story about a remarkable family. I loved the humor. I loved the honesty. The little asides, like the one where Leigh Anne says she doesn't actually wear skirts as tight as the ones Sandra Bullock wore in the film, simply make this book more personable.

I watched The Blind Side three times in one night. Each time I watched the movie, I walked away with something new: a vision, a call to action, a new-found respect. I laughed at Leigh Ann Tuohy's straight-forward, no-holds-barred manner (as played by Sandra Bullock) and rejoiced with Michael as he crossed each new hurdle on his way to his future, to success. And so, when this book by "The Blindside Family" was offered for review, I jumped at the chance to read more about the Tuohys, the love they gave so easily, and the difference they made in the life of one young man: Michael Oher. The book reads with the same ease and straight-forward thought that made the movie a blockbuster hit. It is full of Leigh Ann-isms that will cause you to chuckle and sometimes outright guffaw, but it is also full of wise observations, persuasive encouragement, and plenty of ideas for action. It will give you a glimpse inside the Tuohy family and the Tuohy philosophy, and that in itself is certainly entertaining, but the Tuohys aren't just another wealthy family who can afford to give and so they do; they are a family that gives generously because it is who they are and it is what they believe. They give with a cheerful heart, and they encourage their reader to do the same, no matter how much or how little you may be able to give at this time. In a Heartbeat will entertain, encourage, and call you to action. It will show you that becoming a cheerful giver is something we can all do, no matter what our current financial situation, and it will admonish you to go out and do something: to give your time, your knowledge, your talents, and/or your money to help even one person, that one person who "pops up" right in front of you, as Michael did. In a time when our nation is facing its worst financial crisis in decades, it is all too easy for us to pull into ourselves and to become focused on our own situation. In this book, the Tuohys will encourage you to look around to see how you can help someone who is struggling, and will demonstrate how, in doing so, you will find your own struggles lessening their hold on you. I received this book from The B & B Media Group in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

When I first heard that the Tuohys would be writing a book, I was so excited. I remember seeing The Blind Side at the theater, and was an immediate fan of the movie and what this family did. I was very eager to read their side of the story, and find out how much from the movie was true, or if the truth was just stretched a bit. Let me tell ya, these people know what it means to give of themselves without asking for anything in return. What's even more laudable is that they don't want a big spectacle made of their generosity. It's all about giving of themselves cheerfully like the Bible teaches. They've also passed this trait down to their children....all 3 of them. While a lot of folks around Memphis have literally bashed them for their giving spirit toward Michael Oher, they don't really know the whole story. Now, I'm not an expert on the subject, but I've lived in the Memphis area for most of my life, and I know what the majority of people are like in this city. It's very racially divided, and a huge hotspot of crime. Most people around here, whether black or white, don't readily reach out to a stranger. That's what makes what the Tuohys did so special. As a well-to-do white family living in a nice area of Memphis, they reached out and gave of their love to this one black kid. They didn't do it to get any special recognition, and they didn't do it to raise eyebrows or to get people gossiping. They did it because they realized a need was there, and they acted upon it--plain and simple. Their example is one that we can all learn from. While they are a very comfortable family, and are able to give financially to various charities and causes, they make a point of saying that money is not the only way you can give. Sometimes, a kind smile or even saying hello to someone may be just the pick-me-up they need for that day. Or it may mean giving of yourself at a soup kitchen or a shelter. Their point is just that even though you may think you've got it good, there's plenty of people out there that have it worse than you do. That's when you have to stop and thank God, and then ask Him how you can reach out to someone in need. If you get the opportunity, definitely get your hands on a copy of this book. If you've seen The Blind Side, awesome. It's a great movie with a great message. If you haven't seen it, read the book first so you can get the whole story. Sometimes, it's just not possible to fit a family's whole story into a 2-hour movie, especially one as crazy as the Tuohys. :o)