Year of Yes - February to May

Way back in October, I decided I was going to start saying "yes" more - to new things, to different opportunities, etc. It's my Year of Yes - check out the original post here - and the goal is to do 40 different things. Different for me, anyway. A lot of people might look at these things - see my first Yes update - and think "big whoop" but for me, any step outside of my comfort zone - no matter how small! - is progress. 

I've noticed, too, that the older I get, the more I find myself saying "no" to potentially fun and/or interesting things, usually with an excuse along the lines of it's too much trouble, too much hassle, blah blah. I am too young to be an old fuddy duddy!

So, here are some of my Yes moments from the last few months:

* After agonizing over whether I might be considered pushy or unprofessional, I finally took a deep breath and emailed a literary agent I've been in contact with about one of my recently published stories. Turns out, she read it and loved it! 

* Every once in awhile, my husband and I forgo our usual Thai takeout and get ourselves gussied up and go out to dinner. We went to Emeril's in Orlando and had one of the best dinners we've ever had. We went with the Tasting Menu - which included items we've never had but were willing to try! - including the Wine Pairings. I drank more wine that evening that I have over the course of the last few years. 

* My husband and I had our picture taken with sea lions at the local aquarium. We're considering making it our Christmas card this year.... 

* The development where we live has a great pool...one I haven't been to for awhile. I've been too embarrassed to go because I am so uncomfortable with how I look in my bathing suit. One day - and I don't really know why it was that day in particular - I decided enough was enough. I pulled on my suit, put on my suntan lotion and I went down to the pool. I swam and I floated and I looked up at the blue sky with the palm tree leaves reaching across it like green fingers. I was happy. 

*****

How about you all? Have you done anything different over the last few months? Are you planning on it? Taking a class you've always wanted to try? Going somewhere different? Saying "no" to something when you usually say "yes"?  Because that counts, too!