Before Your Next Yes
Tuesday morning, I had a 7:30 meeting to onboard a new assistant.
Earlier than I like to schedule meetings.
I had offered Tuesday because I wanted to get the ball rolling. I had also offered Wednesday morning.
Wednesday excited me.
Tuesday felt like a little bit of a push.
And I knew that before I ever put it on the calendar.
So why did I offer Tuesday?
Because a familiar voice had slipped in:
Let's get going.
Don't wait.
What if you lose out by waiting?
In other words: I should.
A Half-Hearted Yes
Before the meeting, I made a decision:
Maurine takes care of Maurine first today.
I took care of my energy before I showed up. I entered the meeting full and brought my overflow with me.
That was new.
And apparently, there was more for me to see. 😂
We had technical problems. One person wasn't feeling well. Eventually, we stopped the meeting and rescheduled.
For Wednesday morning.
The time I had wanted in the first place.
Afterward, I chuckled.
The Universe had just created space in my day for me.
Thank you, Universe. I see you.
And then something deeper landed.
My half-hearted yes hadn't only affected me.
Everyone had made room for that meeting.
I started thinking about the energy I bring when I enter something wholeheartedly compared with the energy I bring when I've convinced myself I can make it work.
My energy is part of what I contribute.
That got my attention.
What If Nobody Has to Lose
I've spent much of my life believing structure and freedom were on opposite teams.
Structure said:
Be responsible. Be on time. Get it right. Get going.
Freedom said:
Give me some room. Let me breathe. Let me choose.
I believed freedom didn't have any structure.
To me, freedom was a runaway train. 😂
And my “should” mind was always ready to reel it in.
Tuesday helped me see something new.
What if freedom has a structure of its own?
Maybe its structure is space.
Space for me. Space for you.
Space for yes. Space for no.
Space to be flexible—or to stand firm.
Space for one and for all.
Maybe I don't have to give myself away for everyone else to win.
Before Your Next Yes
So how do we know when our yes is wholehearted?
I'm learning to notice the difference between “I truly want to” and “I can make it work.”
That's a good place to start.
Before you answer, give yourself a moment.
Put your hand on your heart if that helps you come back to yourself.
Then listen.
Are you hearing:
I should.
Let's just get this done.
What if I miss out?
Or is there energy in your answer?
I'd love to.
That lights me up.
Let's do it!
A wholehearted yes doesn't mean everything will be easy or convenient. It doesn't mean you never stretch yourself.
And it doesn't mean structure goes away.
Wednesday morning was still going on my calendar. 😂
The difference was that I wasn't squeezing myself into the structure.
I was helping create a structure that worked for me too.
So next time you hear yourself say, “I can make it work,” pause.
Ask yourself:
Am I excited to say yes—or am I talking myself into it?
When I imagine saying yes, do I feel myself open—or tighten up?
Which choice lets me breathe a little deeper?
You don't have to figure it all out with your mind.
Include your body in what you choose.
Let peace show you the way.
