The Power of Yes

I know, in spite of staring at 50 years walking around this planet, that I’m still an innocent in a lot of ways. Though I may be growly and cynical on the outside, I still believe in the power of a hug at the end of a long day. I believe that while blanket forts and snacks that are bad for you may not fix everything, they sure can put you in a better place to finding better. I believe you don’t fold down the corners of books, or the ghosts of a million librarians will find you and give you paper cuts.

Lately, I’ve come to better understand the power of both hearing and saying yes.

I don’t say no all that often, and when I do, it’s usually followed by a but. Everything that gets put in front of me is a puzzle, and every puzzle (like every question) has an answer. All that changes are the pieces to solve, in endlessly intricate and fascinating ways that give life zest and purpose. It keeps you on the path to learning and growing, and isn’t that the point of being here in the first place?

I didn’t understand that that is a different way to go about living. The bitter stranger in my head is laughing at the fact that I quite literally watched my own mother say no to everything and I still didn’t manage to pick up that lesson.

I guess I prefer to think of that as being a mark of innocence rather than stupidity.

So what’s my point?

When you feel a no about to happen, ask yourself- is it really no? Or is it no but? Is there really nothing at all you can do? Or is it a case of nothing you will do? If it’s to establish a boundary for yourself, then that’s okay, and really kind of necessary. But if it’s just no because you can say no, and you aren’t offering any path to yes.. you may find the person you are hurting most is yourself.

I truly think I have ‘yes’d and dumb lucked myself into everything good in my life. Yes, I’m going to take this job. Yes, I’m going to keep writing Chapter 5. Yes, I’m going to try something new and weird and wild. Yes, I’m going to share what I know. Yes, I have time for you. Yes, I’m going to push out of my comfort zone.

Yes, I’m going to stay who I am and keep saying yes. Even when I’m tired, even when it’s overwhelming. Because I can find the way, and I’m going to be me.

Every question has an answer. Sometimes it’s not the answer you wanted, and that’s okay, as long as its the answer that works. And if the people around you don’t support you saying yes, you may be around the wrong people. It took me a long time to find my people, the ones that see the yes in me, that value me for it and not in spite of it. And it was worth it.