Laurie

The Remarkable Power of Yes

Meditations in Motion

My husband Bill and I recently visited my sister and brother-in-law in Florida. We had a wonderful time. We played cards, went for walks, visited a local winery and museum, ate excellent food, and talked, talked, talked.

In the evening our activity of choice was binge-watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Grace and Frankie.

In one episode of Grace and Frankie, the two main characters, played by Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, had a “say yes” night.

A “say yes” night is just what it sounds like. Each woman had to say “yes” to whatever the other suggested.

Hilarity ensued.

I am still thinking about that premise.

Oh, I know we cannot commit to saying “yes” to everything our friends suggest. Knowing my friends, that might get me into real trouble.

But what if we were just a little more willing to say “yes” to our life?

What would happen if we could be more accepting of our own weaknesses and frailties? If we could let go of the pursuit of perfection? If we could bounce back seamlessly from discouragement?

What if we could stop comparing ourselves to others only to find we are lacking in some way? If we could replace cynicism with optimism and mistrust with faith?

What if we could embrace our messy, turbulent, hectic, imperfect lives and learn to appreciate the myriad possibilities before us?

What if we could love unconditionally the very life we are living right now? If we could look forward to each day and every challenge with eagerness and joy? If we could be bold and brave, choosing adventures more and complaining less?

I think it would be liberating. I believe we would feel like a huge weight was lifted from our shoulders. We would be filled with light and hope and energy.

When we forget the concept of what we think life should be like, we are free to say “yes” to our own imperfect, beautiful, crazy, real life.

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ…was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him, it has always been “Yes.” 2 Corinthians 1:19

 

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Meditations in Motion

 

 

 

 

56 comments

  1. I’ve been embracing “the yes” a lot the past couple of years–especially since my diagnosis with RA. I just feel that I never know when I won’t be able to do the things I can do today. It’s a lot of fun pushing my limits. I plan to make the most of my senior years!

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  3. Fantastic!!!! Absolutely On Board

    When I give talks, Personal Facilitation & Bodywork, I prefer to open with an explanation/definition about our secretaries that live in our minds. That secretary knows exactly where the file is kept, the FEAR file, the UNABLE TO file, or the ever so famous NOT GOOD ENOUGH file.

    I am very animated when I tell this tale and make sure everyone sees me open the file drawer as I confront them with questions, ideas, or concerns. I then circle back throughout the talk to this imaginary filing cabinet. If asking a question about feels, probing questions, etc and all I see are deer in headlights. I pretend to tap on that filing cabinet. Then, its beautiful watching attendees come alive and discuss with one another empowerment, problem solving, and other personal growth opportunities.

    How cool would it be to live with a human race that believes in the power of yes. To go a full day?? How enlightening would it be to embrace the word yes for 24 hours?? I’ m All In

    Stay Strong & Be The Better Person,
    Cheers

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    • What a great talk! Sounds awesome. You give the little nudge people needed to begin asking themselves the really tough questions. Let’s embrace the power of yes! Thank you.

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  5. Wow, your post was a great read. So true.
    I see a lot of that “yes” attitude here in South Africa. Poverty is everywhere, and yet people seem to be happier compared to Western countries. It looks like they say a big “yes” to their lives, accept it and decide to make the best of it. Seeing their broad smiles and hearing their laughter every day is a good reminder to unconditionally live my best life now.

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    • Thank you, Catrina. I think I need to visit South Africa. One of the bloggers I follow is from that country. She is always positive and encouraging. I need reminders to live my real life often. Less often as I get older.

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  7. Great challenge! And it reminds me of my days as a young mum when one day it occurred to me that some of time when I said no to my kids, it was really because what they wanted was just kind of inconvenient for me. There was nothing harmful or wrong about it. And so I started saying yes more often.

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  8. Love Grace and Frankie, but love your message even more. It’s so very difficult to not compare and want what our minds tell us is a perfect life. I’ve had to let go of that many times and the older I get, the more I am happy with who I am and what life and God will put in front of me. It’s a better existence – happier, more peaceful and less stressful on the psyche.

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  15. I’m going to pass this along to my husband—we were just talking about him saying Yes more this year, something he shies away from. His One Word is Transform…. thanks for this post!

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  20. I’m realizing that I say yes more to my grandgirls more than I said yes to my kids when they were little, haha! But you’re right, we do need to embrace life with a little more YES!

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