Léna is also a Regional Manager for Writopia Lab whose mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in kids and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing.

"Well, the question is, what do you want to believe? Do you want to live in a world where things are possible, or in one where they aren't?" Cin, Edges.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Saying Yes . . .

. . . is so easy - it slips off the tongue, it's my default answer. Everyone knows that I'm a softie, and that saying "no" doesn't come naturally.

But I realized in my mid 20's that saying "yes" to everything without discernment isn't really an affirmation of life - it is more like a slow death.

I'm a recovering *buzz word* people-pleaser. And we've all learned that never leaves anybody happy in the long run.

It's a slow and LONG recovery folks.

As I grow up I'm able to experiment more with the boundaries of "no" and the fluidity of "yes".
Where am I going with this? I set out to write a post about saying "yes" to be part of a Performer's Showcase for the Westchester Library Association, and before I even mention it, I'm off on a tangent.

But I said "yes" without knowing what it was  performing? Do they really want to hear me sing? and then I promptly forgot about it until I got a reminder email from the organizer, who said: if you have any brochures, make sure you have at least 75. Brochures? I don't have brochures, but I've always wanted them, so this was the impetus to get 'em. (Say yes!)

My husband made his priority creating me a gorgeous brochure over the weekend to take to the event today, with a description and some reviews of EDGES and a number of workshops that I do. It's an a la carte brochure - almost like a spa!

I felt so good about this that I wasn't nervous about "performing" - I had a piece of paper to fall back on. (Which is another blog post in and of itself. WHY DO WE NEED A PIECE OF PAPER TO FALL BACK ON?)

It turned out to be very casual, and there were actual "performers" there - a science program - fashion designers - actors! There was one other writer hawking her wares too, and she happens to be a neighbor from Katonah whom I've never met: Deborah Batterman who has published a short story collection entitled: Shoes, Hair, Nails. I am looking forward to getting to know her!

Deborah, the other "performers" and I sat at separate tables so that librarians could come and talk to us about our programs. Mine? Red Rocks and Brownstones (Edges talk), Mining Your Life For Your Fiction, Truth, Fiction and Unicorns, The Modern Diarist, A Wrinkle in (an hour's) Time.

Of course, librarians, if any of you are reading this, I can tailor any workshop to your needs!

And I have to say, all in all, it did feel GREAT to have a brochure to fall back on. :-)

P.S. I said "yes" to NaNoWriMo, and miraculously, I am up to 30k. Yippee!!!!

16 comments:

  1. I have seen that brochure and let me just say it is a beauty! Can that wonderfully techy guy of yours make it downloadable? Everyone should see this!

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  2. Still here Léna, still reading even though I don't "have time" to comment. Ha. Finals are coming up. You are brilliant. Just thought you should know.
    xoxo

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  3. My sponsor sent me this the other day. Seems appropriate to pass it along.

    God Says Yes To Me ~ by Kaylin Haught

    I asked God if it was okay to be melodramatic
    and she said yes
    I asked her if it was okay to be short
    ... and she said it sure is
    I asked her if I could wear nail polish
    or not wear nail polish
    and she said honey
    she calls me that sometimes
    she said you can do just exactly
    what you want to
    Thanks God I said
    And is it even okay if I don't paragraph
    my letters
    Sweetcakes God said
    who knows where she picked that up
    what I'm telling you is
    Yes Yes Yes

    "God Says Yes To Me" by Kaylin Haught, from The Palm of Your Hand. © Tilbury House Publishers, 1995.

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  4. Thanks Francine! I feel so fancy pants now with this brochure!

    Word Diva - I'm so glad to know that you are still here - and whenever you do have the time to comment, it warms the cockles of my heart!

    thenoiseandhaste - this is an awesome poem - thank you so much for sharing!

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  5. Yes, a beautifully done brochure that does what it should do -- sing your praises and entice those of us just getting to know you to want to know more. The spirit of your post made me smile with some recognition (duh). Like you, I'm glad I said, 'yes.' Off to find you on Twitter and friend you on She Writes.

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  6. If I had not said yes to my friend, I would not have been in Florida tao meet you, so there's a Yes I look back on fondly.

    Congrats on 30k!

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  7. Y'all are the bees knees! Deborah and Ian, so glad we all said YES!

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  8. Maybe I've learned too well how to say no? I said no to nanowrimo this year b/c last year I said yes and miserably failed. I think when all my kids are in school, I will say yes to that again. In the meantime, I will try to be discerning with my "yes".

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  9. I'm guilty as well. "Yes" is, after all, such a crowd pleaser. I'm learning to say "No," though, and it feels pretty good. :) I said "yes" to Nano, too, but I'm way behind. I'll keep plugging, though!

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