Say "Yes"

This afternoon I took a moment to watch the movie "Yes Man" and boy, did this get me thinking. No.. don't worry, its not the wrong kind of thinking - other than the bit where I realized Jim Carrey is getting more attractive in his maturity :-) No really, I began to sink more deeply in my self-inquiring mind, wondering how often I say yes.

Although this movie did poke fun a bit at the self-help super-motivational workshop movement (a jab in the ribs well worth it), the movie made several very good points. First off, the main character (played by Jim Carrey) was initially shown as living a life of rigidity and isolation. He is seen as having been hurt in a previous relationship and reserved from taking risks in life. He has settled into a responsible yet boring job and declines most social invitations. He perceives himself to be happy just as he is experiencing a life of safe limitation. Upon seeing this portrayal, at first I wondered "what's the big deal about this type of lifestyle." Sure, its not supremely glamorous or adventureous, but sometimes just being settled and quiet can be quite rewarding. Yet, the point was made that this lifestyle could be unhealthy, as it seems to push away the world in an attempt to stay secure. From this perspective, I could see how Carl's (Jim's character) reluctance to take risks or be involved with others was another way of him choosing fear over love.

As the movie progressed and Carl began to accept the challenge of saying "yes" to every opportunity that was offered his way it became very clear the deeper more profound message being communicated. When we choose to say "yes" to opportunity, we are engaging in a relationship with trust. Spiritually speaking, A Course in Miracles teaches us to say "yes" to God in every moment. We are asked to say yes to God's Will over our own. It is when we say yes to God, we say choose to agree with His perspective of our Self and this perspective is completely without any restriction or alliance with fear.

Amazingly, as the movie progressed, I noticed one awesome connection... the connection of connection. Carl is shown saying "yes" to what seems like random opportunities, some seemingly ridiculous and others character building. However, each opportunity that we see Carl choose to say yes to, eventually becomes useful later on in the storyline. For instance, Carl says yes to taking Korean speaking lessons. Sounds pretty random, right? But soon we find Carl having a heart-felt conversation with a woman in a wedding invitation store who speaks Korean and was having a bad day. He allows her to heal her mind and release her sadness just through his witness and knowledge of Korean (which developed an unexpected bond). The flow continues all through the movie. We see how a collection of seemingly random "yes" decisions leads to enhanced connection and complement to many. In one scene we even see how Carl's choice to take guitar lessons gives him the opportunity to cajole a man from his balcony in a suicide attempt. Overall, we see that Carl's decision to say yes, ends up rewarding not just him but a multitude of other previously unknown people.

The movie did later make a clarification about randomly saying "yes" without forethought and how there can be certain dangers if this behavior were really taken to extremes (I guess that was there legal disclaimer). However, the most important point of the movie was in essence showing how that when we are willing to reach beyond our mental fearfilled boundaries and explore life in a manner of trust, we are always placed in the right place at the right time with much benefit. When we say yes to God, trusting that we will always be in the right place at the right time, safe and loved, then all that occurs in life happens with ease and perfection.

A Course in Miracles is often asking us what we choose to say "yes" to. Do we say "yes" to the trepidations of fear over love? Do we say "yes" to beliefs in restriction and error? Do we say "yes" to separation, attack, defense, pain and death? In these choices to say "yes" essentially we are saying "no" to God's awareness of His Holiness in us. Jeshua tells us that we cannot have two kingdoms nor masters. Thus we cannot say "yes" to God and preserve our own egoic kingdom. The only other option per se, is to notice how our belief in choices apart from God is really a clear cut denial in all that God Created. In this choice we deny peace in place of war, choose death in place of life and embrace limitation over ultimate freedom.

Now surely, I too would agree with the movie in that we don't want to ridiculously say "yes" to every option without thinking of potential consequences. Even the Course says that to blindly deny the rules and consequences of the world we made would be an improper use of denial. Instead, I only ask you to take an observers stance to what you choose to say "yes" to in your life experience. Whose Vision of your Self do you say "yes" to most often? Do you say "yes" to your abundance and enter into the flow of life without fear of restriction? Do you say "yes" to trust and acceptance of your brother over guilt, grudges and judgment? Do you say "yes" to happiness in this moment rather than suspiciousness or uncertainty? Do you say "yes" to a view of your self, seeing beauty, strength, intelligence, constancy, joy and peace? Truly, what do you say "yes" to right now about who you are and why you are here?

Life is always giving us opportunities to say "yes." As the movie taught, each moment that we choose to accept these opportunities we give ourselves an RSVP of "yes" in life. The doors are open and all that we receive on reaquaints us with the limitlessness of our power. Taking an opportunity to say "yes" more often does indeed allow us to open up doors that before may have been closed because of past judgments and fears. However, giving yourself a key to "yes" we give ourselves a key to unlimited potential for finding happiness hidden behind a wall of previous "no".

Again, you may not want to say "yes" to everything. It is perfectly okay to say "no" when someone asks you to become a contract killer. :-) However, the point to be made is one that asks us to simply notice when we choose freedom over restriction or love over fear. If we trust the moment to God, and allow ourselves to see His bigger picture, He surprises us with a show that by far outlasts our expectations. In trusting Him, we see that all situations come together as a reflection of perfection, peace and joy. Our will can only limit us since it is rooted in limited thinking and doubt. However, God's Will already knows the complete landscape beyond our puzzle pieces. He sees the ultimate connection of every person, place and situation far beyond our own perspective. Therefore, as we choose to say "yes" we choose to step away from our own point of view and trust an image of completion instead of limitation. We say "yes" to God and His Holiness in us, realizing that beyond our mind there is no where better to simply be.

Love you.