What does your YES feel like?
Hi friends,
My professional coaching groups are filled with colleagues who share resources and training ideas. We also hold each other accountable to keep our practices alive within ourselves, just as we would expect from our clients. This past week, on one of our calls, we asked each other, "what is bringing you joy right now?"
So what did I answer? I have to be honest, I struggled with that question, and in the moment, that made me feel sad. Especially since I want to live a full life and choose to say yes to things from a place of joy, not duty. I eventually came up with a few things and realized I do have a lot of joy in my life. But I also recognize that since Covid, my joy light hasn't been burning as bright.
One of my colleagues answered, "savoring moments when I'm not trying to be productive!" Wow! That landed with me. How many of you could use a little more of that in your life?
In that vein, I am sharing a poem by Octavia Raheem from her book, Gather. I hope this inspires you to make choices from a place of joy rather than obligation or the terrible "I should" or "I need to."
The quality of our YES matters.
When I make decisions from a place of empowerment and in the awareness that I have a choice, the energy of my YES is felt throughout the offering. Whether it is a mentorship, training, retreat, private lesson, or class, the YES is palpable and felt throughout.
So many times, we say YES out of fear, desperation, unworthiness, lack, to please people, or because we don’t trust the power/love/wisdom within our NO.
A YES made in fear colors the experience or offering a muted tone that feels half as vibrant as a bold no or real yes could feel.
I know what it is like to be in the presence of someone who is in the fullness of a YES moment. There’s radiance. There’s a profound sense of presence. I feel connected and held.
I know what a full YES feels like in my body. I also know that sometimes there are questions I need to be with before I access a clear answer, be it yes or no.
If what I am doing, saying, and offering is not an honest YES for me, how can it be experienced or received as a YES by anyone else?
What is a sure YES in your life right now? Name it.