a little air time for “yes”

“I believe in saying yes wherever I possibly can, that yes is the source of power. And that no is always an acceptable answer when yes is not available. I believe that no is the powerless person’s power.”
~Nicole Daedone

I’ve noticed that “no” has been showing up lately. Like here and here. And over here. And what about here. Here too.

And just so you know, I’m not against no. I understand its import and tremendous value. I’m learning to wield mine with much more finesse. I’m dedicated to refining and clarifying it internally so that externally I radiate its integrity. Honestly. Cleanly and clearly.

When we play with dualities and polarities, we tend to adopt an either or, rather than a both and perspective. You know how it goes: good or bad, black or white, beautiful or ugly, light or dark, feminine or masculine.

How can you s-t-r-e-t-c-h your range at both ends of the spectrum? Expand and include. Yes and no. How can you embrace both?

For me, an Ode to Yes feels ripe. Here’s mine in its condensed version:

I say yes to listening to the deepest whispers and roars of my soul.
I say yes to biting off more than I can chew and finding unfathomable courage.
I say yes to skipping down the street.

I say yes to opening my heart. Again.
And again. And again. And again.
I say yes to waking up here and now.
I say yes to doing whatever it takes. Whatever “it” is.

I say yes to untamed beauty and my wildish nature.
I say yes to howling at the moon.
I say yes to unpredictability.
To morphing and changing and evolving and stretching myself more.
And more.

I say yes to drinking in your soul through my eyes until its unbearably difficult and we both allow the tears to roll down our cheeks.
I say yes to the unknown. To utter darkness. And black holes.

I say yes to transparency. And honesty. And feeling my pure, unadulterated feelings.
I say yes to vulnerability. And shaking in my shoes with my heart in my hands.
I say yes to telling a different story. A bolder, dynamic story that says “I can” and “do it now.”

I say yes to a new tattoo conspicuously placed on my upper right arm on a Wednesday afternoon in early November.

I say yes to getting up when I fall down. Knees bruised. Heart broken. Spirit crushed. One more time. Because life goes on.

I say yes to seasons and snow. And Spring coming again.
I say yes for no rhyme or reason.

I say yes to more.
I say yes to possibility.
I say yes to love.

What do you say yes to?