This Book Was Meant To Come Into My Life
I always knew it was important to say yes to myself. I think we all kind of have that instinct. But we spend so much time fighting it. Scared of people judging us or looking dumb. And then we watch life zooming past us and then we are trying to run after it. Doing our best to catch up. But we are so out of shape from sitting that it takes the wind out of us and often, our motivation.
So we must train to catch our life and part of that training is to start saying yes. Sometimes we need a coach to help us train and this book is my new coach.
A First Big Yes
Back in 2000 when I was graduating high school, the guy I was dating and myself went on a road trip to Colorado. We talked about many things. I remember saying how I wanted to live in each part of the country at some point to see which area I like best. He told me he did not want to do this. I told him that was okay, I was still going to.
And he was very upset. It made for an uncomfortable moment. It was a moment that let me know, this guy and I were not going to make it for the long haul. However, I knew that I had this one life to live and I best live it. It was me learning at a young age to start saying yes to myself and what makes me feel like I am “standing in the sun.”
By the way, I have managed to live in several parts of the country.
I grew up in a tiny town in eastern Montana, went to college in Bozeman, MT. Then decided I was going to move to Hartford, CT with whatever would fit in two suitcases. After a year and a half, I decided I would pack up what would fit in my car and I drove to Phoenix, AZ with a map quest print out. My family and I moved to Portland, OR a little over two years ago. So I am trying out different parts of the country. I am doing what I said I would do as a dewy-eyed high school graduate.
I’ve been saying yes to my life ever since.
We get told all the time to learn to say “no.”
Yet, most of us are never taught the art of saying “yes.” Yes to what scares us, ourselves, our life, what we want, and what we don’t.
This book, really digs into the power of both. And how learning to say yes to your life really can enhance it.
Now, I won’t be saying yes to the same things Shonda did. I am not going to be invited on the Jimmy Kimmel show or to do a big commencement speech at a fancy college or lose 127 pounds. However, I can say yes to doing what I want in life, even if other’s want to judge me, even if I am scared or uncomfortable. Like writing this blog, striving to put my wellness center together, and loving my husband and son with intensity.
There is one rule. The rule is: there are no rules. Happiness comes from living as you need to, as you want to. As your inner voice tells you to. Happiness comes from being who you actually are instead of who you think you are supposed to be. (page 286)
After all, if we are trying to do what we think we are supposed to do, chances are we will miss the mark. Because we aren’t mind readers. People will judge, we may lose friends, but the freedom of “standing in the sun” is completely worth it all. Saying yes to your life can take away that numb, dull feeling inside that comes to visit from time to time.
I truly enjoyed this book so much that I read it any spare moment I had.
No surprise there since Shonda is the writer behind Grey’s Anatomy (and a few other huge shows, but I haven’t seen them, so I can only speak to what I know). She writes in a way that takes you on an emotional journey with her and left feeling inspired to find something to say yes to. Something that scares you, makes you uncomfortable. So that you can grow into yourself.
Find your people, take time to dance it out, and always feel the sun on your face.
It is a fast and enjoyable read. I highly encourage you to go and get this book,Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person
If you’ve read this book, what is one of your biggest take aways?