“Always say 'yes' to the present moment... Surrender to what is. Say 'yes' to life - and see how life starts suddenly to start working for you rather than against you.” - Eckhart Tolle
A couple of years ago, my friend Ellen's husband passed away suddenly, far too young and unexpectedly. I was concerned about how Ellen would do without her beloved Michael. They were as close as any couple could be. Ellen has done amazingly well. She misses Michael terribly but her life is busy and she is full of joy. I asked her the secret to thriving in such difficult circumstances. She told me that she adopted a new life policy. Her default answer to most things is to just say "yes". "Yes" to time with friends. "Yes" to trips and adventures in exotic lands. "Yes" to opportunities to learn something new or try something new.
Inspired by Ellen, I have decided to also adopt "Yes" as my default position. When my friend Colleen asked me to attend a chocolate making class with her, I said "Yes". It was fun. When my friend Geraldine asked me to attend a holiday cooking class with her, I said "Yes". We left well fed with a few new ideas for holiday entertaining. "Yes", I will go with the girls to the spa. "Yes", we will happily accompany our friends on a Cuban vacation this winter. "Yes", I will try a new craft with Joanna. "Yes", I will learn a new area of law to help my friend David as he expands his practice. Unless there is a good reason why I can't say "Yes", I am going to keep saying it. So far, I'm having the time of my life.
