Written by Sarabeth Jones, Arkansas Women Bloggers Miss June 2013
This one’s going to be short and sweet, friends, but it’s some of the best advice I have about having adventures:
Say yes.
I’m not talking about over committing yourself, saying yes to everything out of guilt, or anything like that. I’m talking about all those things that come along that pull at you with the combination of exciting possibility and a little bit of fear. The things that you really want to do, but feel like you’re not qualified for.
I am always doing things I can’t do, that’s how I get to do them. –Pablo Picasso
I don’t know about you, but I give into the voice far too often that says you can’t do that, you shouldn’t be doing that, who are you to be that person? My first impulse can be to look around for someone else to take charge, to make the decision, to say yes.
But such wonderful things can happen, friends! Saying yes to a crazy idea led to a flash mob.
Saying yes to my 40th year took me on a cruise.
Saying yes to an embarrassing story led to Listen To Your Mother.
Saying yes to good friends landed me in Kenya.
I could go on and on. And I could tell you, too, of all the yeses that didn’t end quite so glamorously. There are so many yeses that don’t end with gorgeous pictures. But the not-so-pretty yeses so often lead to bigger ones.
Some of you don’t have a problem saying yes, but I do. Every week when I try to come up with a creative idea at work, every time I read about something amazing some other blogger is doing, every time I consider doing something new. My impulse is to shrink back, to lay low. To make excuses to myself and to others. But I’m learning, all the time, how to say yes.
What about you? What do you want to say yes to?
Love this, Sarabeth! I try my best to live by this, as well. And a few years ago it lead to a Life List. http://www.sarahmcow.com/life-list It has changed the way we plan and it has changed the way we parent. Life is an adventure — say yes 🙂
I love your life list, Sarah! It’s making me want to write my own!
The last thing I said yes to was the bakery and it of course has had subsequent yesses to follow. But really, I want to get back into writing. Really writing. It’s only been two years but the bike feels awful rusty. And there’s this whole ‘find the time’ problem to deal with…
You will, Kelli – I just know it. There are few people with the dedication you have to seeing things through! And I can’t wait to read it when you do.
There’s a principle in theatrical improv – really good improv people always say yes to their fellow actor. No matter how crazy or unfunny the idea, you always say yes, because it shows that you trust the other person, that you don’t care if their idea is awesome or isn’t, and that you will go with them wherever they take you. When they do it right, it’s funny, and most of all, it’s safe and supportive.
Yes! I love that rule – and at the same time it scares me to death to do improv! 🙂 So glad this made you think of that, too!
Love it! I have been trying to weed out the incidental yeses and focus on the important yeses. Glad to have shared one of your yeses with you.
Oh me too, Rhonda. So great!
I said yes to AWBU and look at what the great group of women I found. I am trying to pick the most important ones to say “yes” to!
What a GREAT yes that was! For me, too! I’m so glad we both went last year and that we got to meet!
Thank-you for this post. I have such a long dream list. Things that make my heart race with excitement. But I often talk myself out of even taking the first few steps because I’m not sure how or if anyone will receive my ideas. So, here’s to saying “yes”. 🙂
Sara, I’m so glad it resonated with you! And what a precious blog you have!