Saying Yes to Life

Yes: saying yes to life. What does that mean?

Being open, stepping forward, showing up, and always walking into available light. How do you know what light is available? By putting one foot in front of the other.

Sometimes, we can all get overwhelmed with the big stuff and doubt that we can actually do it all. Perhaps, by just taking it step by step or as Anne Lamott reminds taking things “bird by bird” all will be ok, and that is all it takes.

Of course none of us can do everything, but all of can do something. I love this quote by Marian Wright Edelman:

“We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.”

Saying yes is a way of being present, making a daily difference, and taking risks. There are many metaphors for taking risks:

• Taking a leap of faith
• Leaping and the net will appear
• Walking across the tight-rope
• Stepping up to the plate
• Going out on a limb

Saying yes to life is saying yes to faith. It is saying yes when we are not sure. It is a not a false yes—a false pretense—but a genuine enthusiasm for what is and what is possible.

We feel more confident and more able to say yes to life when we are in the presence of supportive others. Friends and family who truly believe in us encourage us to say yes more often. Surrounding ourselves with wise counsel reassures us that we have what it takes inside us to take that next step. We are not alone, but sometimes we may feel like we are.

When I feel lonely and doubt myself, I want to call on wise counsel-- supportive friends and family who deeply care about me. I want to reach out for their help because I know that they will be there for me, but sometimes I want them to reach out to me without being called on to do so. I know people can’t read minds, but can they read my heart?

My feelings make me realize how important it is for me to reach out to others without their asking. To be present with others and to show up for them is showing up for life. How we treat others is how we treat ourselves, and how we treat ourselves is how we treat others.

Yes of yes…one step at a time…day by day…bird by bird…available light.

We are not alone.