Learning To Say Yes To Life

Having my child rearing days behind me

and 

not having  a crystal clear vision of my

next chapter

my new personal motto is

Say Yes To Life.

I don't always even have a clear vision of what this means

only

now when my first impulse is to 

say no to something

 because it seems it might be uncomfortable for me

I take a deep breath,  refocus

and 

say Yes to life.

In the month since I have been doing this

I have 

been to a Korean spa

(where clothes were not de rigour … and I ended up actually  shocked how liberating

nudity can be … when everyone is naked … is anybody?).

I have attended fabulous dinner parties

events at country clubs

reconnected with old friends

and 

now I have been to

 Cancun.

There is a quote floating around everywhere it seems that

"Your Life begins 

Where Your Comfort Zone Ends"

I  actually find this quote

quite annoying.

Because you see I do enjoy being comfortable.

But I  also know the truth in these words

especially as I am journeying to my next chapter.

I know as my heart aches for a time that was 

in raising children

it is now my responsibility

to find ways to fill my heart

with my what's next

and 

to do that

I must navigate the uncomfortable for me

and

Say Yes To Life.

I wonder how many times in life we truly allow good to come into our lives.

Maybe it's just me.

But sometimes good fortune makes me really uncomfortable

like if  I accept it

the balance of life will take something I love away.

But  I have realized

this balance is just perception

and 

to change the life I  have for the better

means 

I have to be open to change

have courage for the new

and

Say Yes To Life.

When a dear friend

texted me out of the blue

if I wanted to go to 

Cancun with her the next week

because her husband couldn't make the trip

my first internal response was

of course not.

Then I stopped

and

 asked myself why not.

I had absolutely no obligations with children

for the first time in over twenty two years.

My husband was all on board 

and

excited for this fabulous opportunity

that had come my way.

My work in my studio 

was all up to date.

There was no reason to say no.

So I accepted this generous offer.

Not only was it a great opportunity

but

I would be traveling 

with one of my friends

who I have always said 

has the most beautiful 

zest for life.

Kris and I crossed paths years ago

in our passion for our family

and

soon after our homeschooling journeys began.

But when it comes to some things

we are an odd coupling

I plan for ages

while Kris just gets out and goes.

Even traveling we are an opposite pair

at the airport she will chat everyone up

while I am anxiously

checking again to see if I put my passport back in 

it's rightful place.

Traveling with Kris

was the perfect thing to do

for me right now.

It was kismet

the perfect way for me to

Say Yes To Life

in an impromptu way

I had never allowed myself before.

Even before the offer of the trip

I had told myself many times I wanted to be more like Kris.

To go and live life

with zest and passion.

Her passion for her family

and 

life

knows no bounds.

She will say yes

to so very much in life
especially when it comes to anything travel related.

This is my favorite capture of Kris

out there

in the mix of life.

By saying Yes

and 

taking a chance 

in the  uncomfortable for me ...

I was so richly rewarded …

with beauty

and 

the realization

there is ever so much life 

out there

still to be lived!

I was reminded 

that new deepening friendships

are ever so important

at this time in life

as my beautiful children

move on with their own lives

and 

I and my husband with ours.

To everything there is truly a season

and

 I'm pretty excited with 

this new one

and 

the magic in life yet to be found!

Even simple discoveries

like tiny restaurants off the beaten path

with the most stylish presentations.

I am on a hunt to find these

never seen by me

carafe chillers.

My spirit and soul

have been renewed

by the sheer beauty in the world I found.

Time spent with a good friend

reminds me of 

all the good still to behold

in the coming seasons of life.

My heart is full of gratitude

for the beauty I  got to see

and

the time shared with an inspirational friend.

Sometimes when you 

Say Yes To Life

you end up in  just the very place

your soul 

needed to be that day.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life