Stop Saying Yes!

There is one underlying reality that is keeping you from moving in the direction of your vision: you have said yes to too many things that are not your vision.  This is no one else’s fault but your own.  You must own it.  You must admit your deep fear of disappointing others.  I know that sounds harsh, but it must be.  For now.

You must admit your love.  What do you love?  Do not be ashamed.  It is the truth!  What do you love?  Explore it. In your love is your yes.  And in saying yes to what you love, your “no’s” will come more readily available.  Life is too short.  Say yes to your loves, however silly they may seem to others.

And however painful… If you are even struggling with the question, there is something inside you.  Something different.  No one can take the burden for you.  Or ease it.  No one can remove it.  Yes, we are all “in this together,” but “they” can not get you where you want to go.

Only you can say your “yes.”  Only you. Only you have the responsibility, utlimately, to say it.  Which, of course, requires saying “no” to many other things.  There is no real science on the math, just know that for every “yes,” there will be many more “no’s” required.

*And the “no’s” are good things that aren’t good enough.  Like making a career out of what should have been a hobby.  We we want to make what others consider a hobby into a career.  They will not see it.  The path will not be laid.  The insurance will not cover it.  Risk is inherent.

But reward is also inherent.  That is what we have to trust.  Yes, it will be hard!  But there is a freedom in our struggle that almost vindicates the suffering; espeically when that suffering is not a result of failure to make a tough decision, but the drect result of doing just that.

Our suffering must be earned by making our path.  Choosing our way - not following another’s.  Much of suffering in life is self-induced.  Borrowed pain from not choosing.  From going down a path not our own.  From refusing to say “yes” to our own life, our own unique, yet unseen path.

No one can “know” our suffering.  Not really.  It is unique to us.

It IS shareable, though.  Especially as we say “yes.”  The road opens up.  And so do travel companions.  Still the fear does not go away.  We think it should, which makes it even worse.  Part of owning our “yes” is accepting the tensions that come with it.

*And reminding ourselves an easy life is not the goal.  Retirement benefits, a regular paycheck, stability are all great.  For a time.  But even they can become soul-crushing, if we let them; if we replace what we deeply care about for their comfort.  “Hate your life in this world.”

It takes a jarring statement like this to remind us the goal is not comfort.  The goal is pushing into our goals, our setting, the race we are called to run.  That’s what we are doing here.  We are pushing into our race.  Our life.  Our dreams.  And everything else must die.

To be re-born…into the new dream.  Old dreams must go.  Control must go.  Desire to know or understand every piece, go.  Our “rite” to author our own narration, go.  This is not our story to tell.  As we let go, even die, the new story can finally begin.

A new Kingdom emerges.  An invisible one.  And though it is as real, many will not see it.  They won’t even look.  So we are left to wait, to administrate, to participate in this Kingdom of the heavens.  Though it remains invisible, for now.  It is real.  Real as rain.  And it IS coming.     

Let go, and get going today!