Y is for Yes . . .or maybe it should be Y is for saying Yes more often!
Here is a big piece of advice from 63 year old me! Don't say no so often. Say Yes as often as possible.
Can we make a mess? Yes, if it is going to create memories. I said no far too often.
Can we go . . .wherever? Yes! Yes to Israel, Yes to Ireland, Yes to Italy and Germany, Yes to the park!
I need to take my own advice more often.
Will you stop and play with me? Yes. Another one where I need to take my own advice.
Can I help you cook? Why didn't I say yes?
Mark is now retired and he asks, "Can I help clean the house?" I've been bucking it for weeks and this week, I said yes and I'm trying hard not to criticize a single thing. He did scrub all of the toilets by hand!
One afternoon this week, my son called and said that he and our granddaughter were close by. Could they drop in? When they got here, they wanted to take the golf cart to one of our parks. I have a final this weekend and it would have been so easy to say "no" . . .but I said YES and here is proof! I still had time to study!
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| She has a crazy amount of upper body strength. She is in motion! |
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| my son and my granddaughter swinging HIGH with the sunshine peeking through the trees! |
What are some questions that you answered with a no . . .that you wish you had answered with a yes?
More food for thought! I wonder how often I say 'no' without thinking. Love these photos; now I'm wondering if I'm brave enough to swing once more without worrying that people looking and snickering.
ReplyDeleteI am brave enough to swing -- maybe not as high as my son and granddaughter were swinging. It actually made me feel very young!
DeleteA great post. Most recently, I said no to participating in the children's ministry at my church. It took me years to figure out that saying "no" is actually okay. I do not want to work with young children, at all. I would hate it. So I"m okay with that decision. All of your examples... saying yes is the right thing to do!! I love the photos or your very active granddaughter!!
ReplyDeleteI do think we have to learn to say no to some things.
DeleteIf only I knew nearly 5 months ago that our son wouldn't be here, I would have said yes a lot more; Hey mom, you need help? Hey mom...hey mom...I miss that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely post. smiles
This makes me want to say yes to our kids even more often. Thank you for sharing that with us.
DeleteIt’s too easy to fall into the groove of saying no rather than yes, to adventure. I bet you felt invigorated when you got back to study.
ReplyDeleteI did feel much better after spending some time with them!
DeleteGreat advice. I have the book "Year of Yes" in my TBR pile. I often have the opposite problem of saying "yes" to commitments that I don't really want to do. Knowing when to say yes and when to say no is a useful skill to develop if you want to be happier.
ReplyDeleteLearning to say no (or yes) is definitely a useful skill. I've definitely said either yes or no and later regretted my choice.
DeleteMy mom says she tries to say yes as often as possible because she typically trends towards "no".
ReplyDeleteYour mom has a good idea!!
DeleteAt 69, I have a too-long list of "should have said yes". Some are travel related - I had the chance to go to Africa for a total eclipse of the sun when I was in college but money was a concern - I should have found a way. Also, I would have had my son younger than I did have him. But overall, I am content with how my life has turned out. And, like you, I need to take my own advice more!
ReplyDeleteMy husband will be 69 this year and he said so often we think of our "woulda, shoulda, coulda" moments. It sounds like your chance for the trip to Africa might be one of those. Hope you have a great day!!
DeleteSo spot on, it's so easy to say No, and at times it's probably healthier too! But then adventure awaits when we say Yes, the memories, the opportunities and more! Good blog you have here! Visiting from the A-Z master list! Congratulations on finishing the challenge!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Deepa from FictionPies
Sometimes it is healthier to say no. I just don't want to miss the fun moments :-)
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