Saying "no thanks" is missing out

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A lot of people have a difficult time saying no. I'm not one of those people.

When it comes to working an extra shift for someone, or helping them out, I'm all for it. But recently, I've taken to the "I'm too tired/cranky/scared/insert negative emotion here" road. As the girl who took off for a six month stay in Europe by herself, I'm not sure where this came from. Over the weekend, however, it seems I was to be taught a lesson on saying no to doing things. A new friend from school invited Erik and I to go wine tasting with her and her husband. Erik was out surfing, we would have been late, and I was tired from studying all day, but also a little agitated with the idea of mingling with people I don't know that well.  So I said "no thanks, definitely next time!"

At class, she showed me a photo of her with Jack Johnson.  At the wine tasting.

I was struck by how vividly this portrayed what saying no to things was doing to my life. I've been missing out on huge opportunities, due to whatever I might feel. Not only meeting celebrity moments, but smaller, important things, such as making more friends, learning how to surf better or going to a cooking class. Those things which make us a fuller person, someone who has said "yes, I'm afraid, but I'm going to face it and do it anyway." Because as the saying goes, life begins at the end of your comfort zone. (Strangely enough, I read an article on Saturday about this very thing, and it really convicted me. Too bad I hadn't read it a few hours before).

So here's to figuring out how to say yes, to move forward and face fears!

(except for skydiving)