“The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.” (Joseph Campbell)
Because you never know where you’re going to find it. Case in point: my 10-year-old’s football team party to celebrate their season.
It took place in Utah County over the weekend. Due to a prior commitment, I was unable to attend so I asked my oldest to take his brother to the party. He didn’t go unwillingly, yet it probably wasn’t the thing he wanted most to do on a Saturday night. (I can’t blame him, he’s a senior in high school. I’m sure he had more “mature” plans.) I reminded him to look upon each opportunity as an adventure.
So he went. Anticipating an ordinary team celebration. But instead, texted me after they arrived at the address for the team party with this message: “I’m in Larry King’s house!” (Yes, THE Larry King, of “Larry King Live.” Apparently, he has a connection to Utah and a home here.)
My boys had planned on enjoying a fun evening, spent with a football team comprised of 5th grade boys. What they got, instead, was that and a whole lot more: a rare brush with “celebrity” and the opportunity to do something out of the ordinary.
I could only ask this of my sons when they arrived home: “Aren’t you glad you said, ‘Yes?’ Aren’t you glad you went to the party?”
Life is kind of like that. You wake up every morning, face each new day and often, never imagine what great albeit unexpected opportunities will have been yours by the time you go to sleep that evening.
Just say, “Yes.”
And you’ll be guaranteed some memorable moments.
“He’s had his ups and down. Now, it’s lately been nothing but ups.” (Larry King) |
How cool is that for a kid?!
They thought it was VERY cool, especially to see framed photos sitting around of Al Gore and other famous people!
How cool! I LOVED this story! Just a tid bit, Donny Osmond & family have a home in the same neighborhood as Larry King. Nice diggs 🙂
Enjoy your blog.
Wow. Thanks for the info! And thanks for reading. 🙂
When I was about 16 there was a youth activity that I chose not to go to. My family had tried to convince me, but couldn’t. I think I was being stubborn because of a friend thing or homework or something. Later I heard it had been an amazing and once in a lifetime experience. My mom explained to me that she was so disappointed that I had passed up the opportunity for a spiritual experience, which she’d rarely seen me do. It would have been particularly meaningful because of a connection to the recent death of my brother and his wife. I felt bad that I hadn’t gone. Ever since then, I’ve been a person who mostly says yes to things, especially those that could be spiritually uplifting. Good for your boys and your loving encouragement!
In cases like that, we sometimes learn to say yes from saying no, huh? I’m glad my boys got to have such a fun, unique (for our family) experience. So many new things to experience in Utah…and life!:)