Be Uncommon.: Just Say Yes

I literally cannot count the times I have let fear, anxiety, doubt, or uncertainty hold me back from doing or accepting things that have the potential of being life-changing or positive. I consider myself a practical person and while I've never been someone who sees the negative in every situation, I often deny myself the opportunity to move outside my comfort zone and experience life in a different way.

Recently, I've come to the decision that I want to say "Yes!" to more things in life. I have a crippling fear of growing older, looking back on my youth and saying, "I really wish I'd done that." What kind of person would I be, what kind of legacy would I leave if all I can say is that I lived day to day? A life unfulfilled would be my greatest disappointment and I'm making a promise to myself, here and now, to try new things regardless of how uncomfortable or frightened I may be.

I want to ride a roller coaster. I want to eat a bug. I want to see the Northern Lights. I want to sing karaoke. I want to hold a snake. I want to visit all 50 states. I want to go deep sea diving. I want to be an extra in a movie. I want to drink wine in Paris. I want to pet an elephant. I want to fall in love.

But most importantly, I want my life to have meaning. And while true fulfillment can only come from God, the power of simply saying yes cannot be denied. It's cliche, but the fact that we only get one life is true and every person has an inalienable right to happiness. You have a minimum amount of chances to do anything and everything you want. So why not choose to see the good stuff? Live the life you have imagined for yourself so that when it is all said and done, you will have the satisfaction of a life truly lived.

I'm not going to wait for my life to begin. I'm not going to sit quietly and let life pass me by. I'm going to embrace the unknown. I'm going to throw caution to the wind.

I'm going to say "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

"The big question is whether you're going to be able to say a hearty 'yes' to your next big adventure?"

-Joseph Campbell