2025: What’s your YES?!

I had an incredible experience on the last day of 2024 that offered a message of “yes” for the New Year. 

I’ve had a severe shellfish allergy since my early 20’s, making one of my favorite foods – sushi – unavailable to me for many many years. I’ve recently moved to a small tourist town and was surprised to find an allergy friendly restaurant that offers safe sushi for people with my allergy and others. With old friends around a large table I was able to indulge in a favorite food that I thought was lost to me. I had assumed that door was closed forever, but thanks to this progressive restaurant, I was able to open it again.

And ooooooh, was it delicious!!

My friend turned to me halfway through dinner and asked: “what else will you say yes to this year?” I laughed and took it in. I wondered, what are other areas I’ve assumed are a “no” for me, doors that I’ve closed and locked because at one point or another they were unavailable?

It got me thinking about how limitations, while valid at certain times in our lives, can become a part of our identities. I grew up a very sensitive kid with health issues, I was told all the time that I can’t handle as much as other people. This message became a very powerful one for me in my adult years, fostering either an unhealthy bravado (I’ll show them!) followed by a crash-and-burn, or just a knee jerk reaction to hold myself back. 

As a result, I’ve struggled with my world feeling small and my options limited, like I’m not able to fully participate in life. Fostering my spiritual path has given me a way to open up my inner world and bring healing to my body, mind and spirit.

The truth is, I am still a sensitive person, my health – while improved – is more delicate than some. So how can I be sure I’m taking care of myself, listening to my body, having healthy boundaries, while making room for the “yes”. What if the limits of the past can change? 

What if as we change, our ability to manifest more possibilities for ourselves opens up?

I’m a big fan of the concept of the ‘third option’. We often can get stuck thinking we are limited in our choices, with only option “a” and “b” to pick from. But what about option “c”? or “d”!?

Opening up our creativity and calling on a third option can stimulate possibilities, new perspectives and new ways to say yes without self sacrifice or putting anyone at risk.

So what are your dreams this year? What “yes” might you invite into your life where there was a “no” before? I welcome you to make space to continue to grow into possibility and enjoy the creativity of your life. Even if it’s just a simple sushi!!!