Being a sassy /anti-anything standard kind of gal, I’d like to offer an alternative view on “giving thanks” this Thanksgiving.
Instead of the obvious “give thanks for what you have,” I’m looking at it from a different perspective.
I’m giving thanks for this year’s “NO’s.”
Yep, you read that correctly.
I am grateful for the No’s I’ve experienced, the silent feedback, the subtle obstacles, rejected proposals, ignored submissions, and unanswered emails. It’s been a big year of NO’s, I’m now realizing I was quite fortunate to experience.
While it may sometimes seem like my life is all sparkles and fairytales, being a new author (bestselling in October!), entrepreneur, and mom is different than it may appear.
To be honest, 2016 has been like being on a continuous rollercoaster ride. Not a little ride like the cute ones in the traveling fairs. I’m talking one of those big loopy-loop, vertical drop killer rides.
I promise not to dump my saga on you as you likely have your own drama to sort out, but let’s just say, in 2016, I stepped onto uncharted and, at times, very shaky ground. I rode huge highs, deep lows and just about everything in between.
2016 pulled me apart, yet put me back together in a whole new way. Take a look:
- I’ve said good-bye to Careful Cara.
- I now say what I mean and mean what I say.
- I’m done needing people to like me.
- I have no problem saying NO.
- I’m confident that after 50+ years of being on this Earth I have something valid to share.
Let’s just say I’m no longer the person who rang in the New Year.
So this Thanksgiving, I stretch my arms out wide and give thanks for the “NO’s” that have helped me to find my voice. I salute the failures, rejections, and ignored requests. I bow to the deafening silent feedback that gave me the courage to shed old and outworn ways of being.
Oh, there’s one more thing. There’s an important YES that’s emerged in the midst of all of the NO’s.
The YES is YOU, my friend out there in this online community. The YES is YOU, my “go-to” source for advice and direction. The YES is YOU — my fellow human potential junkie and like-minded comrade.
In 2016, I took a big leap of faith.
I climbed onto a massive rollercoaster and prepared for a wild ride including the On The Verge book launch, book talks, app development, articles, interviews, and a new On The Verge podcast. It’s been unnerving and uncertain. It’s been life changing.
And what emerged is YOU — the YES I needed to carry me through the NO’s. We are a community of YES’s, kind and intelligent men and women, seekers curious about showing up and living fully. Best of all, we are a growing group with a sass and zest for experiencing life on the verge and in high definition.
Shine on!
Cara
