From the time we are young, those figures in our lives responsible for molding our behavior seem determined to limit us in some way.

Many of the limits were common sense, “don’t play in the traffic,” or “don’t jump your bike off that ten-foot ramp!” These warnings were clearly to keep us safe and maintain our well-being, but many warnings have limited our existence.  These did not have the same intent. We were told not to try one thing or another because of the pain we might suffer if we failed.  We were immediately placed within fear’s boundaries as we created our image of ourselves.

In most cases, these fears were stated to help us avoid emotional or physical harm; ”No, don’t try to be a musician. Only a few can make a living at it.”, “No, you shouldn’t dream about being an actor. Few make it in this field. You should be a lawyer, a doctor, or a teacher.”  These warnings worked to develop our belief systems, and they have been limiting many of us ever since.

The great news is that these beliefs can be changed, which isn’t all that difficult. One of the simplest ways is to start to say yes to everything that we face each day. This affirmative statement will allow a person to look past the lifelong limits we have been living by since being very young.

If you take the time to evaluate many of the limits you believe in, they will be revealed at best as an exaggeration and at worst as an outright lie. We are capable of more than we believe we are; the fear of being hurt by failure stops us most often, and that is nothing to be afraid of. Say yes and try.

Say yes to Failure

Each day there are opportunities for each person to follow and improve, no matter what the current circumstances in life might be. Fear of failure stops many people from accepting the challenge of improving their situation.

The fact is that all people in the history of the world have experienced failure. Those who are ultimately successful recognize these setbacks as learning experiences. Those who are unsuccessful generally give up and shy away from trying again.  Denying failure is not the answer. Say yes to the failures that inevitably come from trying; they will lead you exactly where you need to go.

Say Yes to Something New

It is human nature to experience something we like and to stick with it. Be it food, a leisure activity, political thought, or an opinion about others.  These things become comfortable and to reach beyond them and possibly be exposed to something new is scary because we might not like them.

Yet, if a person never reaches and tries something new, there is no way to grow. If you never grow, the alternative is stagnating and becoming less. Each day, we are becoming more than we were before or less. Say yes to a new experience, and you will surprise yourself with growth!

Say Yes and Accept All Circumstances

Every person experiences difficult times, which are not pleasant to go through, but it is possible to say yes to them. It doesn’t mean that you like them or accept them. It is a simple nod to the obvious; this situation is happening to you now. Putting a negative experience in perspective and accepting that it is happening will allow you to move.

Forward more quickly than ignoring it or not facing it will. If a person honestly looks at their lives, the times of trouble provide the most profound learning and the shortest learning curve. Accept these situations, whatever they may be, as learning moments, learn, and then put them behind you. No matter how dark the night is, the dawn will come, and the new day brings unlimited possibilities. Often we learn what we need to know to “move forward.

Yes is a word that we should all use a lot more daily. Yes! I will try that! Yes! I will overcome failure! Yes, I will learn lessons from hard times! Yes! I will be the best person I can be each day and try to make the world a better place by practicing a more accepting attitude. Yes, I will forgive you!  Say yes to everything and see what magic you can create.

“I’m a great believer that saying yes is a lot more fun than saying no.”–Richard Branson

“Everything in the world began with a yes. One molecule said yes to another molecule, and life was born.”—Clarice Lispector

“Any time an opportunity scares you that much, you should seriously consider saying yes.”–Rob Lowe

“If you must say yes, say it with an open heart. If you must say no, say it without fear.”–Paulo Coelho