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May 2, 20223 min read

Saying Yes!

I'm feeling really encouraged by the wonderful things that come from saying yes!



Inspiration


It was about 6 months ago where I wrote a reflection about my first semester in college. Now I'm sitting here, on the edge of finals week, about to finish my first year of college. What the heck?! That's insane!!! Truly... I'm baffled.


Anyways, I was going to do another whole reflection, but when I sat down to write, I ended up thinking of one major thing I wanted to share from this semester. Here it is: don't be afraid to say yes.


Going into college, I was told I'm going to have to learn to say no to things. This is very true and VERY necessary! But! It definitely intimidated me because I didn't know what to say no to or how many things to say yes to...on top of figuring out college itself. So I wanted to take a little bit of time because, although saying no has been beneficial, saying yes also has shaped my freshman year immensely.



What Happens When We Say Yes?


When we say yes, we make room for possibility. We pave a way for new memories. We get the opportunity to experience the world more fully. "Yes" is a truly beautiful thing. In fact, saying "yes" has brought me some of my newest passions, dearest friends, and favorite memories.


For me, sometimes saying yes is a way of letting go of control. I'm a planner—I like to know what's happening and when. However, when I say yes to the spontaneous adventures, I get to practice patience and spontaneity.


DISCLAIMER: don't say yes if you know you're going to say no eventually. This is something I've had to work on, and am continuing to work on, throughout the semester. Let your "yes" mean yes and your "no" mean no. Consistency is key!



Some of the Yeses that I'm Grateful For


I could go on for ages about all the things I've said yes to this semester that have turned out to be blessings, but I'll just share some highlights.

  • Coffee! Guys. I just love getting coffee. Of course I love trying new flavors and drinks, but it's mostly about the fellowship. Sharing a cup of coffee with people has consistently created space for some of the greatest conversations I've ever had.

  • Joining a sorority! I've met people that I truly don't think I would have met without participating in Greek life. It has brought me people that have challenged me, grown me, and inspired me.

  • Taking tennis class! This is rather random, but it absolutely cracks me up. If you've ever heard me talk about tennis, you'll know how many laughs I've had in that class. It's also introduced me to some wonderful friends, even though I'm not the best at the sport itself.

  • Sharing meals! I have had the privilege of sharing meals with some of my favorite people on this planet. It's times like these where I am reminded of all of the wonderful people that I have gotten to know and all the memories we've shared. Not to mention, good food makes life better!

  • Mud fight! Yes, I'm aware I'm technically a legal adult, but this is one of my favorite memories from this semester. It had been down-pouring for hours, so the courtyard by my dorm was a complete mud pit. So, of course, we went and played volleyball and ran around in the mud for hours. I just love college.

  • Traveling! In the past semester, I've gone on road trips as well as flew places. These adventures led me to time with friends and family, something that is irreplaceable and beautiful. For example: over spring break, I flew home to surprise my siblings! This absolutely was one of the highlights of my 2022.


Long story short: I am overflowing with gratefulness for the things I have said yes to. There are so many more memories and people that I could shout out because of the impact they've had on my semester and my life. What a blessing it is to say yes!


 

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