Yes Philosophy

According to my mother, my first response to anything is “no.” I think she’s been misinformed. Well, ok, maybe she just has antiquated information. Growing up (and probably straight through most of college), maybe I was overly cautious and leaned toward a negative response to most things. Maybe I was a bit of a pessimist, though I maintain that I was (and am) a realist. However, Mom should reconsider my new position and prepare herself for a changed opinion regarding my perspective.

You see, of late I have developed a new philosophy – a philosophy of “yes.” I think this philosophy has been slowly growing in me for a few years. Will you work 16-18 hour days for a once in a lifetime, historical experience? “Sure.” Will you drive to NYC over Thanksgiving break? “Ok.” Will you spend as much time in New Orleans as humanly possible? “Yup.” Will you quit a paying job for an unpaid internship? “Yes.” Will you study abroad in Tanzania? “Yes!”

I think somewhere along the way I made a subconscious decision to stop saying no. I got to the point where I was trying so hard to make the plan I had in my head work that I was choosing way too discriminately. So I began choosing based on experiential prospects instead.

Have I said “yes” when “no” would have been a better option? Maybe. Maybe the past 4-6 months have been a little hectic because I’ve said “yes” on all fronts of life. Maybe my philosophy of yes has gotten a little out of control. Seriously, you can ask me for nearly anything. Should I balance my life with a little bit of “no”? Probably.

But, overall my yes philosophy has been a source of fabulous (or at least learning) experiences, outside of one ill-fated dinner. Even that dinner makes a pretty good story, though. (If you ask me to tell you about it, I’ll probably say yes.) So, right now, I will embrace this new philosophy. Will I go to Tanzania? “Yes.” And who knows what “yes” will bring me there.

And you see, this yes philosophy extends to saying “yes” to my own challenges. The current challenge: journal everyday while I’m on my trip so that I can blog the journey upon my return. (And hopefully revitalize my blogging this summer.) Will I do it? “Yes.”