The Domino Effect of YES

How many of you said YES last week to something you might have normally said “No” to? The above photo is what YES looked like for me last week, as I embarked on a spontaneous, 36-hour advance notice backpack adventure to Norway with my son. Did you miss last week’s email about Saying YES? If so, click here.

Throughout our seven day/six night trip that was planned by my son in one day, literally the day before we left, I stayed amazed that it was really happening. I couldn’t believe I left everything behind, except what was on my back, and that my body could keep up. Being absent of baggage was life-changing in many ways. Oh there’s so much still to unpack about this experience!

One lesson that became evident during a hike in Finse, Norway (heaven on earth) is the importance of blazing our own trails, going off the beaten path when necessary. That’s exactly what my son and I had to do when we came to a place where the trail unexpectedly ended. This photo was taken after we decided to keep going and were rewarded in a big way for being bold and brave.

I can’t wait to write more about how that decision unfolded and the fruit that came from it, but it will have to wait until next week for three reasons.

Number One: I’m tired! With a seven-hour time change, twice in seven days and with the cross-country, coast to coast itinerary we accomplished, I need more rest. I’ve been back in my own bed five nights now, but I’m just starting to feel like myself. Sleep at normal bedtime hours is still touch and go.

Number Two: It’s Labor Day weekend. I want to give my husband and family my time and attention, and hopefully set an example to encourage those values in you.

Number Three: it’s my birthday! Well, tomorrow is my birthday as I write this, but today is my birthday, as you read it. I’m celebrating all week, and maybe all month!

Seems like my celebration of life began during my solo business/pleasure trip to Florida last month, when I decided it was time to take my “living experiences” up a notch. Wow, talk about the domino effect of saying YES!

When I think back to writing Go to Grow and then Paddle Board Lessons, I am amazed. Those YES’s felt big at the time, because they were big at the time. Now, fast forward … backpacking through Norway, what?!

Life will continue to stretch us, as one YES makes it easier to say YES again, to even bigger things further outside our comfort zones. As I said last week, openness leads to willingness, which leads to grand adventures beyond what we can imagine. I hope you are saying more YES’s with me.

How can I support you with your next big YES? Whisper “yes” if that’s all you can do right now, but say it, take any action that’s yours to take, and then watch heaven and earth rise up to meet you.

Thanks for understanding why I am going to keep today’s email short, and continue to re-charge from my big adventure. If you’d like to see a fifteen-second video recap my son made of our trip, click here.

Cheers to a great week, noticing the gifts that matter most. Feel free to share with a friend.