A health scare prompted me to move from San Diego to Prescott a couple of years ago. I’d survived a life-threatening illness, and the experience created a sense of urgency to be closer to my mom while she’s still thriving.
In San Diego, I’d spent three weeks in the hospital, followed by months of recovery. My emotions cascaded into fear countless times. I often turned to an inspirational book for comfort during the darkest hours of my illness. One evening the phrase “something good will come of this” jumped off the page at me.
Those words helped me temper my thoughts and turn my fear into faith. Even though I didn’t know what that “something good” would look like, the thought gave me hope and kept me steady. I posted it on stickies and placed them in strategic places around my home. The phrase became my emotional rudder as I regained my health.
I moved to Arizona in November of 2022. And as the holidays approached, I kept to my tradition of picking a theme for the New Year.
It usually comes from something I read or hear, or a compelling thought that comes to mind. As I was leaning into my new life In Prescott, it just made sense that when the New Year arrived, “Something good will come of this” should be my theme for the year.
For my second year in Prescott, my annual theme was inspired by the Celtics. I’m a basketball fan, more specifically, a Boston Celtics fan. They won their 18th Championship in 2024. This sparked a memory of Kevin Garnett.
After winning the finals in 2008, Kevin famously screamed to the rafters, “Anything is possible!” It gave me goosebumps. It still does.
That’s how I felt in Prescott that year as everything was unfolding in fresh, new ways beyond my wildest dreams. My business was thriving. I had marvelous new friends. I was involved in community service, and time with mom was priceless. I believed “Anything was Possible!”
Today, as I move into my third year here, my theme for 2025 will be,
“Just say yes!” This feels like the perfect motto for how I want to live my life.
“Yes” has so much magic in it. It carries 365 days of potential.
Too often we hesitate to try something new; like moving to a new town, meeting new people, or trying a new activity. We simply say ‘No’ too easily and too often.
This reminds me of a joke I’ve shared with mom for years. I tease her about how we interacted when I was a child.
I would yell out, “Hey Mom!” and before I could finish what I wanted to say, she’d answer with a resounding, “NO!”
This still cracks me up. And yet how often do we unintentionally stop ourselves in the same way? By immediately saying “no” to new challenges, we reject many of life’s brilliant chances. Like stepping up in the community, meeting someone new, or learning new ideas.
So, here are four reasons I’m saying “yes” this year.
I want to stay open to miracles.
Opportunity often knocks gently, and it seldom waits for perfect timing. There never really is a perfect time. When we say “no,” we reject more than the opportunity. We also reject the fun a new opportunity can bring, the potential for learning new lessons, and the unexpected gifts that can unfold.
I’ve learned to trust when others believe in me.
Before you have the option to say “yes,” someone or something must believe you can do or achieve something. I challenge you to view the opportunity as a compliment – and embrace the confidence other people have in you.
Saying “yes” opens new doors.
When I look at my consulting business, almost every client I currently work with came from a referral. By saying “yes” in the past, I’ve made it possible for new doors of opportunity to open today.
Time is of the essence!
If not now, when? Heck, I turn 65 this year. A Latin proverb says, “Fortune favors the bold.” When weighing a decision and considering possible outcomes, choosing to say “no” sometimes leads to regret. I choose to be bold and say “YES” now, because at this stage of my life, I fear regret more than failure.
This I know for sure: Life is brighter when we live with boldness! We attract more opportunities when we say “yes,” and it adds a special zest to life.
When we say “yes,” unexpected things happen.
Wishing you and yours a glorious New Year full of “yes.”