My Year of Yes #ShondaRhimes

It's been 6 years since I completely read a book, cover to cover. Shame? Nope. Been busy having kids, raising kids, exploring my career options, trying out the stay-at-home-momma thing (not for me), growing as a writer, blogger, now speaker, and being involved in my community. Trust me, I do read. Don't get me wrong. I just haven't been able to finish a book in years. I read different articles, blogs of course and I have started several books now by Jon Acuff. So as part of my year of yes, I decided to say yes, to more reading in 2016. The first challenge accepted was, you got it, read Year of Yes by the amazingly talented and smart Shonda Rhimes.

                                         

                                                         {Pictures from Google search}

In case you are wondering how the reading went. Well, I fractured my foot the first weekend in December and had to stop going to my 3 night a week boot camp, and rest. So, I started the book and no matter what, I didn't put it down until this past weekend when I finished it. If you think you don't know who Shonda Rhimes is, like me until I started reading the book and then realized how much I did know her. She is the creator and writer of amazing TV shows like- Grey's Anatomy, Scandal and How to get away with Murder. If you read her book you will discover that it goes so much deeper than just being the creator and writer, these shows are her. They embody her and who she is deep down inside. Just REAL life. 

If I am being really honest with you, the book started off slow for me. Sorry Shonda! {As if she will ever read this, ha.} It wasn't until her commencement speech at Dartmouth on page 79 that she really hit a cord. The first part of the book I couldn't help but think, she is so full of herself. But, trust me as the book continues you will fall in love with her and realize how much it took for her to take on the Year of Yes. And, how courageous she is. How much talent she has and how incredible her thoughts are. As someone who has suffered from anxiety due to stress, and had a full on panic attack, I commend Shonda for all that she has done. So, if you just started reading the book and can't get into it. WAIT for it. Cause trust me it gets really good.

I loved following her journey every step of the way, every new self-revelation, every new YES being accomplished. Shonda, I can call her by her first name, cause she said we were personal friends somewhere in the book, maybe. Shonda she is incredibly smart and so funny. Her twisted deep thoughts, I identify with her words and personality. A lot. I love that she adopted her daughters because she knew she wanted children. I love that she decided marriage wasn't for her. Her strength and courage as a Momma and a minority are truly inspiring. She makes me want to get in my Wonder Woman power pose and take over the world. If you are reading the book, you will know.

As a recap, Shonda started her Year of Yes because her sister made the comment that she never said YES to anything. As a woman who is as creative and hardworking as Shonda, I can imagine that hit hard. I would be shocked that people thought I wasn't living to my fullest potential. And, honestly, sometimes we aren't. She needed that push to make her further grow and develop into the absolute Wonder Woman that she is, and more importantly, it made her own it. All of it. Her mistakes, her shortcomings, her talents, and inner beauty. She even lost weight as part of her YES year. Without any gimmicks or tricks, just a simple yes to health and exercise.

The truth is we sometimes need that one person who will push us to our limits so that we can discover what we are really made of and how much MORE we can accomplish. If you have not read the book, I highly recommend it. If you are looking to overcome your fears and conquer your purpose in 2016, this book is a must read to kick off your year. Shonda will make you cry, laugh and realize who you are really meant to be. She will also help you realize that no matter how old you are, it is never too late to start saying yes. The journey will not be easy but will be well worth it. You will need to pull up your big girl panties and push forward. You will discover who is truly there for you and who is out to get you. 

As part of my Year of Yes, I am taking on bigger tasks as a writer, employee, Wife, Momma, Sister, Friend, Daughter, etc, etc, etc. I want to say yes to opportunities that bring me life and purpose. I want to say YES to being myself and not worrying about what others may think. I want to say yes to helping others who are willing to help me. I want to say yes to being present and alive for my Husband and children. I want to say yes to life and the sun. I want to say yes to inspiring, motivating and teaching others. I want to be able to say NO to those things that hinder me from saying YES to greatness. I want to be more whole. And, happier. If at all possible.

Are you ready to say YES to 2016?

And, as I am saying yes to many new opportunities in 2016 one of them is Public Speaking engagements, therefore, my upcoming presentations are as follows: