Today we’re going deep into, what I feel is an epidemic in our society today – especially among women. It’s this idea that just because you can means you “should.” When the TRUTH is, just because you can doesn’t mean you “should.”
You know I’m not a big “should” fan, and I’m not going to “should” on you today.
This takes me back to a S.O.L. STORY from years ago. It was the early 1990s, and I was in chiropractic college. I was going to school full-time, and in class most days from 7:00/8:00 am – 6:00 pm. I was also teaching 6:00 am fitness classes, and studying every night until wee hours of the morning.
Then I decided to add pregnancy, and having a baby into the mix.
After my daughter was born, she was quickly added into my insane schedule. I’d awaken her at 5:00 am to breastfeed, then I’d teach my group fitness class. I’d go to class from 8:00 am – noon, then run home again to feed her. Then I’d go back to school until 6:00 pm.
I’d run home and relieve my nanny, feed my daughter, then study until 11:00 pm. I’d feed her again before putting her to sleep, and go to bed myself. Only to start the entire routine over again at 5:00 am.
I was saying YES to everything, accept myself!
You’ve been there too, haven’t you? You may still be there…
Then a dear friend said to me one day, “Shannon, just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”
It’s stuck with me ever since then. I’ll never forget it.
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
How often do we as women, humans, souls on planet earth, say YES to everything – simply because WE CAN? We look at our schedules, and we make it fit.
That’s the first thing people do. They look at their schedule, then make a decision.
What I’d like to encourage you to do (starting today) is to start thinking about what you’re saying YES to…
Every time you say YES to something or someone else, it’s quite possible that you’re saying NO to what really matters to you, my dear.
Is this possible?
Do you look at your schedule to see if “IT” fits, then say YES because you have time?
Whoever said that the criteria for saying, “YES” is simply that you have TIME in your schedule to do it?
How about trying a NEW CRITERIA?
Before you say “YES” next time, ask yourself the following…
1. Does this FIT in with what I truly DESIRE?
2. Does this FIT in with how I desire to spend my days?
3. Does this FIT in the VISION of my life?
4. Does this FIT in my priorities?
5. Does this FIT in my life and life’s work?
6. And does it FIT WELL?
I urge you to consider this new criteria today.
Is it possible that you’re saying YES to everything, and you’re saying NO to the ONE THING that matters the most?
Are you saying YES to EVERYTHING, and actually saying NO to having it ALL?
Are you saying NO to the things that really matter in your life?
OR are you saying YES, YES, YES, and not saying YES to anything that REALLY MATTERS to you?
Please consider that you DON’T need to say yes to ANYTHING, unless you say YES to yourself first.
This changed my life when I finally began to consider and apply it to my life.
YOU MATTER, MY DEAR!
Are you willing to say YES to you, the vision you have for your life, your dreams, that which you find sacred, and inspiring? To what you’re passionate about? Your priorities?
Are you willing to say YES to all this FIRST?
Because just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Oftentimes we’re not doing the things that we really really care about, and we’re saying I CAN’T to the things that really deserve to be a CAN.
Am I making myself clear today?
Maybe I’m the only one that’s ever done this, but I’m going to believe that I’m not…and MANY OF YOU are still doing this today.
If you are, today’s the day to re-evaluate what you’re doing, and make a new decision about how you’re spending your time, and what you’re saying yes to.
TODAY’S SACRED S.O.L. STEP:
Please grab your SACRED S.O.L. D.A.T.E. JOURNAL (Daily Action To Engage with yourself.)
Answer the following question: Where am I saying YES to everything, and because of it, I’m saying NO to what really matters to me?
(You know what it is. Write it down.)
Please circle it. And start saying NO to it.
If you find it difficult to say NO, then try this technique. Instead of saying “NO” say, “I can’t say YES to that right now.”
When you say NO, it means you’re saying KNOW – I KNOW WHAT I DESIRE.
That’s YOU, my friend.
If you desire a life that you love, and a life’s work that you love, then today’s the day.
Please come over to WomenSippingOnLife.com and let me know how you’re doing. Thank you again for being here. I’m so grateful!
xo Dr. Shannon. Inspiring minds that want to grow and hearts that want to know, so you can love you, your life, and your life’s work well. ONE SIP AT A TIME.
A special thanks to the following souls for helping me launch our WOMEN SIPPING ON LIFE podcast…
Intro/Outro done by Uni V. SOL
Outro music by Jay Man: Mind Over Matter (www.ourmusicbox.com)
Podcast cover design and web site done by: Pablo Aguilar (www.webdesigncreator.com)
Podcast cover photo by Kate Montague of KM Captured (www.kmcaptured.com)