Yes, why not? ~ ¿Si por qué no? ~ Oui pourquoi pas?

One of my most memorable life-time adventures was in the spring of 2013. I was in between jobs, free of responsibility with a month-long European holiday on my horizon. A portion of this trip would have me spending 10 glorious days on a solo walking excursion along the Northern Route of the Camino de Santiago – Camino del Norte. Irun to Bilbao. 150 km in 10 days.  

I will tell you this much for free, after all was said and done – I could have packed lighter. There is a life lesson in there somewhere, one I am destined to re-live. <insert eye roll here>    

One of the highlights of this trip was meeting Sylvie. Sylvie was from France. We walked together for four days. 

Sylvie felt… Kindred.

She was funny and interesting and when I think back on what she taught me; she had this unmistakable wisdom about her.  Two remarkable qualities of Sylvie -- she had a confident sense of who she was; and a strong connection to the horizon she was charting; she had a powerful sense of self direction. Some will refer to this as a personal vision, or a sense of purpose. 

She also had a habit of saying “Yes, why not.”

Should we stop here for lunch? Yes, why not? ~ Should we have one more beer before we call it a night? Yes, why not? ~ Should we get started a little earlier tomorrow so we can take more time on the journey? Yes, why not?

Her attitude about saying yes seemed simple enough, but as the time progressed, I came to understand this attitude was built into the fabric of who she was.  Through our time walking together, we came across and got familiar with a few other travelers. Sylvie had a distinct advantage in this department because she was fluent in English, Spanish and French.  As I listened to her conversations unfold, I could make out the very phrase – yes, why not – on repeat. In Spanish, she would remark “¿Si por qué no?” And in French, I would hear her say “Oui pourquoi pas?”

Yes, why not; this wasn’t simply the answer to a question, it was her way of being. Sylvie embodied the spirit of improvisation and what that could create in the moment.  She was open to what life had to offer through what was unfolding around her. By the time our ways parted, my outlook on life had forever shifted. I began setting the intention to be more open and expansive by simply saying yes to what emerges. I would practice choosing this little phrase as a way of being. My own personal invitation to step into life as it unfolds, like being the recipient of a daily offering or invitation to participate in something great.

I dare you to say yes more to what really matters. One more time with confidence! Yes, why not?

And what else? Hire a coach!

A coach can be a catalyst to say yes to more of what you really want in this one great life.  Contact me for a consult call. Yes, Why not?