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Monday, February 11, 2013

Saying "Yes!"

I'm that girl that never went camping growing up. I didn't climb trees. And doing the whole Chinese Fire Drill thing at a stoplight just never tickled my fancy. I knew what things I was comfortable with in life and which things I was not. Don't get me wrong - I'm all for getting outside of your comfort zone - I mean, hello... I moved to San Diego! But what happens when we start saying "yes" to life?

I've met someone here in SD whose motto is to just say "yes" to life. To say, "Sure, why not?" After all, it could eventually be life-changing. Each time I've spent with him, I've found myself saying "yes" to something I would normally say "no" to.

Example Numero Uno:

He took me to hike Torrey Pines for the first time. Am I a big hiker? Um, no. But I had heard amazing things about hiking Torrey Pines so I was all for it. Then, he told me there was a great spot on the hike to run. Am I a runner? Definitely not.

I was skeptical. My attitude was very, "Ehhh." But sure enough, once we hiked up the cliff, it was time to run. I agreed to it and we started running. Immediately, in my head, I told myself this wouldn't last very long but hey, at least I tried it right? Well, we kept running. And talking. And laughing. And before I knew it, we finished out the entire hike with that run. The best part is that I wanted to do it again. I got SO much out of it! I felt pumped. Excited. Proud of myself.



Example Numero Dos:

This weekend we were hanging out and he mentioned that we should go dancing. I'm a dancer but I've never been one to just "go dancing." So, my "Ehhh" attitude began again and I figured I'd just have to talk him into doing something else. He starts telling me about this place with really healthy food and said we should go there. Okay, good. My plan to avoid dancing was working.

We got side-tracked and I told him the story of how I forgot how to ride a bike. [Seriously. The whole "it's like riding a bike" saying is a joke.] His response was, "Well, that's unfortunate because we are riding bikes tonight to get there." You're kidding me.

Note: I may or may not have gotten myself onto the bike, peddled once, and veered directly into his car. 

Anyway. We laughed hysterically and then I told him I would just run to the restaurant. Well, that wasn't going to happen. Much to my dismay, I rode on the handlebars of his bike. As terrified as I was of being thrown off, I ended up having a blast. We rode alongside the beach and having the salt air in my hair was the greatest feeling :)

I was pleasantly surprised when the restaurant we went to was a restaurant I went to the first time I visited my brother here years ago. That restaurant has since closed and the new one has opened up but how cool to randomly go back to visit a special spot?




It's weird coincidences like that one that make you realize you're right where you're meant to be. I felt so happy. If I hadn't said "yes," I wouldn't have felt that breeze in my hair. I wouldn't have smelled the delicious salt air. I wouldn't have watched the waves crash from that deck. I wouldn't have been reminded of a fun spot my family loved. I wouldn't have made new memories [some that we will laugh about for years.]

So, start saying "yes." You might be terrified. You might be nervous. Perhaps you doubt your own capabilities. Or perhaps you really will nearly crash your bike. But keep seeking those opportunities. It's in those "yes" moments that you really feel life.

And just in case you were wondering... I ended up saying "yes" to dancing that night too :)

15 comments:

Courtney said...

I find myself trying to say Yes to a lot more things these days. With discretion, because I have a hard time saying No as it is. But you know, saying yes can lead you to so many AWESOME adventures!

Shayna @ The Fancy Yancey said...

Aww I love this!!! I'm so happy for you! & You're right... by saying "yes" and not holding back you're able to enjoy so much more of life!

Lauran {The Real Young Housewife of Southern VA} said...

Seriously love that you are spreading your wings and enjoying yourself!

Nicole said...

you go girlfriend. keep saying yes and i'm sure a lot more opportunities will come your way!

julia rose. said...

So proud of you for getting out there and just saying "yes"! What a freeing experience :) And your bike story has me cracking up. I don't think I remember how either...

Jax said...

Love this. So true, friend. And I get that 'eh' attitude a lot, too. You're right.. It's always a pleasant surprise when I just go for it and say yes. No idea why I think of saying no. I tend to be afraid of not being good at something. Like "eh... I won't try that b/c I don't know if I'd be any good..." But you never know til you try!

Miss Chelsea said...

What is it with us Chelsea's and learning to say yes? Love this post, i wrote almost verbatim a few years ago about the same thing!

Rachel said...

Those sound like great little adventures of life. But I also think I would be terrified to ride on the handlebars of someone's bike.

Jenn @ West Sac Honey said...

Yes to Yes! Love it Chels! Exactly how I'm feeling these days too!

Jenn @ West Sac Honey said...

So so so pretty Savannah! LOVE it!

Unknown said...

love love loving this!

tara said...

I definitely need to start saying yes more! I am currently the queen of no! =/

Laura said...

Love this post! And that super sweet pose!!

Kndbbdjk said...

Oooo sounds like this friend is a good one! :) I like the "say yes" philosophy!

Kristen said...

ohmygoodness! what fun dates!!