Monday, June 3, 2013

To Say Yes


I was going to look up some really brilliant quote about living fully but didn't get around to it.
Instead I am sharing a goal I have for myself and our family this year - to live more, let go of fear and to experience life.


So often Mike and I, in the last several years, are full of reasons why we cannot do something, something as simple as going to the beach on a 90 degree Vermont day (because my goodness, how many of those are there?).   Mostly one or both of us will usually say we have too much work to do and/or that we really don't have enough money.


On Friday we went to the beach.

(If you look closely you can see the wind towers on the mountain ridge.)

It was great to be among other homeschool families, in particular to talk farming with one mom.  It was, as it always is, a joy to watch the children effortlessly play and hang out together like they've known each other forever (when we only seem to get to a homeschool gathering a few times each year).    


If we stop for one afternoon, the vegetables will still be harvested by the end of the growing season, the orders will still be shipped when they need to be shipped even if it means getting up a little earlier a day or two, and the house can be cleaned another day.   At 1:00 when I asked everyone if they wanted to go to the beach, and there was a loud chorus of yes - I then let everyone know what had to be done before we could go.  I think in that one hour more was accomplished than in the entire day.  Not sure if that is the right kind of motivation I am aiming for in our children - but it did the trick for that day:)


One of the reasons we began our home centered lifestyle and home based businesses was to be able to say yes more often - yes to a hike - yes to an overnight camp outing - yes to a festival.  We knew that this life wouldn't make us rich - that was never a goal of ours.    What is has done is given us freedom and it is only ourselves that have been holding us back.  No more!  

15 comments:

  1. This is what living a God centered life is all about... saying yes to life! A full life! How wonderful that both you and your husband have realized this and are now enjoying it. m.

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  2. What a lovely experience to say "yes" to. I am guilty of not saying yes enough too, probably. But what a joy it is to embrace life when we can.

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  3. What a wonderful post, and good for you (all) that you said yes. Very inspiring :)

    Nice to know the lake is warm enough to swim in - I think I will say yes to that soon myself!

    Enjoy it all!

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    1. the water was not warm at all - the children don't mind though:)

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  4. Tonya, we struggle with the same exact thing!

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  5. Those were the windmills in Sheffield and that is Crystal Lake in Barton.
    Warmly,
    Tonya

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  6. Yes to more!!! I love your attitude, Tonya. I have high aspirations of doing just this very thing in our family, too. Yes, yes, yes!!!
    xo Jules

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  7. Oh this is making me homesick for Vermont! Can't wait to go green mountain swimming again!

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  8. I think you are rich in so many other ways then the money way. We too follow the path we are on so we can slow down, simplify and say yes move often...I think it makes us rich...just a different kinda rich, and we feel pretty good about that. Enjoy all the yeses to come :)

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  9. That is a great attitude. Glad you had fun.

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  10. I also struggle with the same. I too have decided to try to say "yes" more often this summer!

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  11. how wonderful! what a special day! and a good reminder to take the time for special days like this...

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  12. Ah yes, this is very familiar to me- there is always so much to do, and taking time to do things as a family can feel impossible sometimes- so glad you had a lovely afternoon out!

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  13. What a great breakthrough! I am inspired! Thank you for sharing. The list of things to do never ends and I have heard so many people, at the end of their lives, say that they regret the most not doing what you have decided to do!

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  14. I am visiting from Purple Pear and this is a wonderful post. There are always piles of things to do but oh-so-good to have a spontaneous break with the family and enjoy some time together. I echo what Kerri said and that we could, in years to come, regret not doing more of what you have done.

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