That little word 'Yes'

YES. A small three letter word. Would you like another cuppa? yes please. Isn't it cold today? Yes it bloody well is. My question is do we use it enough to enhance our lives? The reasoning for my deep & meaningful question time is because I have just finished reading the very talented Danny Wallace's book also subsequently made into a big Hollywood blockbuster, Yes Man.


For those who havent had their nose in the book or watched Jim Carey portray the tale, the basis of the real life story follows Danny, who feels he has got stuck in a rut with his everyday life. He meets a man on the bus ride home (which he wouldnt have been on had it not been for the tube not running) who simply recommends he says yes more. So what starts as simply accepting invitations to the pub with mates turns into spectacular chain of yes's that change his life.

I think we all relate with that burned out feeling where we turned down simple invites with friends because often we just cant be bothered. We're tired, its the same old same old & by not doing it seems we're changing the habitual life patterns we're stuck in. Or, maybe on the other hand, it is the fear of where saying yes will lead. One of my traits that I always view as a doubled edged sword is the fact that I fear the unknown, great that I'm a stable, loyal little bugger but equally sad that change doesnt sit well with me. What am I afraid of? It comes down the lack of control. I hold my hands up to being a control freak and the fear of anyone or anything, especially chance, taking that away from me is something I cant imagine.

But reading Danny's tale, which I assume to all have happened near enough as documented, made me think about how quickly I say no to invites... which are opportunities..... which could lead to all sorts of new experiences. I was struck cold that I could be missing out on all sorts of things that I only dared might happen to me. Whats the worse that could happen? Lots of really good things happened to Danny & the chain of random events also meant his 'yes saying' had a massive effect on other people as well. Some might say a coincidence but I think Danny's actions meant that life changed for other people - and that coming from a stalwart believer in 'if its meant to be it wont pass you by' is pretty, well mega. Maybe we do get a chance to create our own fate/destiny/path in life and that is a whole other avenue to be explored.

To bring this blog to an end and show how much Danny's book is already having an effect on me, I was sat on a train waiting to depart Waterloo just this very weekend when a lovely man (who I later learned was Tom, the illustrator from Basingstoke) asked if he could take the empty seat next to me. 'Of course' I say and he sits down and takes his book out (bear with me this does get more interesting). You've guessed it, he's only bloody reading Yes Man. Cue much excitement from me - dont worry I didnt spoil it for him - but it lead to a lengthy discussion on saying yes and how we both wished we could be a bit more spontaneous. I think theres probably a good chance I bored the tits off him telling him my life story, my regrets, my wishes but I wanted to take this opportunity to thank him for listening to me, it was strangely liberating telling a complete stranger things I dont always want to admit to myself. So Danny Wallace had his bearded Maitreya figure, I had Tom the Illustrator from Basingstoke but after saying our polite goodbyes/have a nice life chat I felt a weird feeling of ease.

So this is me...... from now on saying yep, yaha, yeah. YES. I fully pledge to be committed to the programme (providing it doesnt get me into too much more debt, trouble with the police or dates with complete morons) thats the small print. For my friends & loved ones, if you have made it to the end of this blog then you fully deserve to take full advantage of my new good nature.

To be continued.............