SAY YES! #SummerOfYes began one spring evening over 15 years ago, when I was walking my late, beloved dog Ella, pictured lapping life up in the player image above. My life was good, but it also felt… blah. Stagnant. Not for Ella though. I noticed as she and I strolled, that her reality was anything but. She was checking this out, that out, saying yes to what was over here, then over there. It was all just so exciting and interesting for her.
It made me wonder… What if I said yes to life the way Ella did? What if I said yes, all summer long?
So I did. That summer I said yes to every invitation, opportunity, inspiration, every idea that came my way. I got up at 4 am one morning to get to the beach with a new friend for a champagne breakfast picnic as the sun rose. I said yes to taking the summer off, I took a class, I tried a sound bath, a sweat lodge, I took naps … I said yes to everything that came my way - I even said yes to naked camping (long story!) I said yes to things that were challenging, and yes to things that didn’t cost a dime.
Saying yes all summer changed my life. It became richer, purposeful, and I was always filled with eager anticipation about what was to come. I met new people, made new friends, laughed harder and lived better than I had in years. The day I went naked camping (long story!) we drove past the home of the breeder of a miniature Dachshund I had acquired there in my early 20’s, Sammy, whom I loved so dearly. In that moment, as it dawned on me where I was, I was instantly filled with a rush through to my bones filled with the cherished memories and the full, loving spirit of her. Pure magic, filled with meaning for me, that I wouldn’t have experienced had I not said yes to naked camping (long story!) and passed by her birthplace.
#SummerOYes even became a cover story on PostMedia’s now defunct commuter paper, 24 Hours, when I was a columnist there for several years (Spirit + The City) and its encouragement of readers to say YES elicited terrific response.
And for the past 11 years we’ve said YES on The Shaun Proulx Show, all throughout July and August*, having inspiring guests on who share what saying a big YES in their lives has done for them, including my pal, Fashion Santa.
This year, expect to hear an interview with a woman who said YES to becoming a DJ - at 60 years of age. Plus you’ll meet another woman who packed up her expensive Toronto lifestyle and now lives la dolce vida in Italy, and so much more.
This week we kick off with international bestselling author Linwood Barclay (he writes incredible can’t-put-down thrillers I love) who tells us his YES story about becoming the writer he is today. Author Mark Reinisch is going to encourage us to say YES to wellness; my beautiful Tulum gal pal Roxie Avila joins us from Mexico, where she’s said YES to pursuing her passion of painting, and so too does Canadian artist Karen Klucowicz who has boldly done the same.
I hope you consider saying YES to life this summer, and tune in to hear stories of others who have and hear the impact it’s made on their lives. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter for more #SummerOfYes inspo and ideas.
Enjoy the listen.
*Pro Tip: A reminder that summer doesn’t end when August does, it goes right through September - so keep saying yes after the kids are back in school!
Ahead on this Substack: Her Wicked Ways: Hell hath no fury - and this woman was scorned - turning the personal and legal life of her ex-boyfriend into a hot glue gun mess as revenge. It’s an eye-popper of a story I’m writing now; watch this space.
Shaun Proulx hosts The Shaun Proulx Show heard weekends on SiriusXM Canada Talks 167. You can listen to it on this Substack as well. More: ShaunProulx.com
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