Throughout the past year, I’ve read Shonda Rhimes’ “Year of Yes”. The book journeys readers through Shonda’s year of saying ‘yes’ to the things she normally would’ve said ‘no’ to. In many ways, I found it to be a journey of self-discovery for Shonda & what are some of the things that can hold us back from what we really want to do or really fear to do. Soooooo, I decided to make this past year, my “Year of Yes”. Not that my journey was like Shonda’s, but there seems to be a similar thread that prevents us from stepping out of that comfort zone. What is that thread?
Fear. Yep, it’s the thing that can keep us from the yeses in life. I’m not saying that this is the case for everyone, but it appears to be the case for many. Fear of rejection. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of the unknown. Being scared. You name it, the roadblock that keeps us from moving forward is most times attached to fear. There were many things I faced this past year that in previously saying ‘no’, I wouldn’t have taken many steps forward. This includes applying for a promotion at work to dealing with past issues attached to certain relationships. It was very eye-opening to see many things begin to unfold that in my mind I had made to be the biggest obstacles & fears ever. I’m definitely not saying the journey was easy, but on the other side of those fears, were blessings & at times, a bit of calm. These things & journeying into them weren’t as ‘bad’ as I made them out to be. At times, I could say that the individuals in the relationships I had a bit of fear attached to them as well.
This “Year of Yes” brought upon another thought (among others): Do I/we live fully?? Living fully—enjoying the journey without hindering ourselves. Releasing ourselves from the things, people, or past that keep us complacent or even attached to the fear that paralyzes us. I don’t think that I’ve been living fully, but am on the continuous journey to do so. It’s as if the realization started with saying ‘yes’, & even this saying ‘yes’ included “saying ‘yes’ to saying ‘no’” as Shonda states. My Pastor C. Jones has even mentioned, “Saying ‘no’ is not a bad word.” To live fully encompasses many things, but to begin with a single step is what kicks things off! Maybe, you can start by saying ‘yes’ to at least one thing that you fear the most. That first step is difficult, but believe me when you take it, on the other side of it you’re likely to find, “That wasn’t so bad.”
Live fully for yourself. Take the journey to saying ‘yes’ to the next thing God is guiding you too; keep in mind that the next thing may include facing a few past things & people, but it’s going to be okay!
It all has to start somewhere; don’t let fear keep you from living fully. There’s a ‘yes’ around the corner with your name on it.
Until next time.
Blessings,
© Lisi P, 2017
