When this blog becomes a book, I want the back cover to say something like this:
"Hornbaker captures the essence of life as a 20something in today's world with wit, class, sarcasm, and flawless grammar. A must read!"
or
"Her Year of Yes is a charming and uplifting work for a generation of young women who need a recipe for getting unstuck. With a dash of realism and a teaspoon of hope, Her Year of Yes will leave you hungry for more! Great for book clubs!"
You are probably going to find this book listed under "self-help." It should actually be listed as "sociology" or "cultural studies" or "humor for the slightly neurotic." Please tell Barnes and Noble this when you purchase it. Likely on the discount rack. But who cares! I'm published!
The truth is, this blog is more about me than it is about you. That's right, I'm not going to try to teach you anything or help you discover the meaning of life. We can do that over coffee if you'd like, but that's not for here. This blog's purpose is to allow me space to chronicle my antics as I walk through a Year of Yes. Stop asking what that means, I'm getting to it.
About a year and a half ago, my life went up in flames around me. No, seriously, a very disturbed individual thought it would be a good idea to burn down the apartment I shared with my dear friend and coworker. Since then, things have not been great. I am going to grant myself permission to be candid here and admit to you that I have struggled in many areas of life since then, personally and professionally. I dropped out of my master's program, moved to a new apartment on my own, and started a new job during this time of instability. Earlier this week, I finished out the 17 month-long trial process by watching the man who burned down my life be taken in handcuffs to jail to wait out his sentencing for first degree arson and second degree burglary. This experience was satisfying on some level, but not gratifying in the least. It's going to take more than jail time for a criminal to put my life back together - it's going to take some work on my part, too. Blergh.
At some point over the last few weeks, it became clear to me that I did not actually want my life put back together as it was. Sure, I want to be happy and healthy and peaceful. But I also want more than that. I want to really experience life and what it has to offer. I want to be in a place spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically that will allow me to keep on moving if and when the Next Big Tragedy strikes. I want to be a part of the things I have kept my distance from in fear, and I want to try doing and being those things that I have not due to my Crippling Sense of Responsibility for Situations Out of My Control.
This is the part where my grandma gets scared. It's okay, Mimi, let me explain. I am not going to be pole dancing at Secrets World Class Cabaret! Open 7 Days a Week! anytime soon. Or ever. I am not going to be making unwise choices just for the Hell of it. I'm going to finally be making great choices for the Heaven of it. If I don't start learning to actively engage in the sweet moments of life now, when will I learn? (Answer: Probably when I am 83 and have bad hair. And life is a lot harder to enjoy with bad hair. I know because I went through the 4th Grade Mullet Syndrome. Please reference the photograph on the bottom lefthand corner of the back of my book cover and note that I have magnificent hair at this time.)
And so, the Year of Yes is born. This year I will actively participate in life. I will say "yes" where I would have said "I don't really know..." before. I will do things because I always wanted to try. I will enjoy life without needing to say "I really wish I had done that..." or "In hindsight, I would have liked to..." I will make choices that I know will leave me more joyful, spirit-filled, and peaceful. I will make choices with great love instead of great propriety. I will rebuke stress. And I will drag you along with me. Excited yet?
As I was contemplating this project aloud, one of my friends asked, "Why are you limiting yourself to a year?" My answer was this: I am not limiting, I am challenging. I am choosing to challenge myself to say Yes as much as I can this year in an effort to learn gratefulness, accept joyfulness, and experience the fullness of life itself. When this year is over, I hope that this challenge has brought me to a place that will allow me to more richly experience the journey of life every day. And I hope you'll still be with me. Because a long journey is always more fun when someone else is along for the ride.
"Hornbaker captures the essence of life as a 20something in today's world with wit, class, sarcasm, and flawless grammar. A must read!"
or
"Her Year of Yes is a charming and uplifting work for a generation of young women who need a recipe for getting unstuck. With a dash of realism and a teaspoon of hope, Her Year of Yes will leave you hungry for more! Great for book clubs!"
You are probably going to find this book listed under "self-help." It should actually be listed as "sociology" or "cultural studies" or "humor for the slightly neurotic." Please tell Barnes and Noble this when you purchase it. Likely on the discount rack. But who cares! I'm published!
The truth is, this blog is more about me than it is about you. That's right, I'm not going to try to teach you anything or help you discover the meaning of life. We can do that over coffee if you'd like, but that's not for here. This blog's purpose is to allow me space to chronicle my antics as I walk through a Year of Yes. Stop asking what that means, I'm getting to it.
About a year and a half ago, my life went up in flames around me. No, seriously, a very disturbed individual thought it would be a good idea to burn down the apartment I shared with my dear friend and coworker. Since then, things have not been great. I am going to grant myself permission to be candid here and admit to you that I have struggled in many areas of life since then, personally and professionally. I dropped out of my master's program, moved to a new apartment on my own, and started a new job during this time of instability. Earlier this week, I finished out the 17 month-long trial process by watching the man who burned down my life be taken in handcuffs to jail to wait out his sentencing for first degree arson and second degree burglary. This experience was satisfying on some level, but not gratifying in the least. It's going to take more than jail time for a criminal to put my life back together - it's going to take some work on my part, too. Blergh.
At some point over the last few weeks, it became clear to me that I did not actually want my life put back together as it was. Sure, I want to be happy and healthy and peaceful. But I also want more than that. I want to really experience life and what it has to offer. I want to be in a place spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically that will allow me to keep on moving if and when the Next Big Tragedy strikes. I want to be a part of the things I have kept my distance from in fear, and I want to try doing and being those things that I have not due to my Crippling Sense of Responsibility for Situations Out of My Control.
This is the part where my grandma gets scared. It's okay, Mimi, let me explain. I am not going to be pole dancing at Secrets World Class Cabaret! Open 7 Days a Week! anytime soon. Or ever. I am not going to be making unwise choices just for the Hell of it. I'm going to finally be making great choices for the Heaven of it. If I don't start learning to actively engage in the sweet moments of life now, when will I learn? (Answer: Probably when I am 83 and have bad hair. And life is a lot harder to enjoy with bad hair. I know because I went through the 4th Grade Mullet Syndrome. Please reference the photograph on the bottom lefthand corner of the back of my book cover and note that I have magnificent hair at this time.)
And so, the Year of Yes is born. This year I will actively participate in life. I will say "yes" where I would have said "I don't really know..." before. I will do things because I always wanted to try. I will enjoy life without needing to say "I really wish I had done that..." or "In hindsight, I would have liked to..." I will make choices that I know will leave me more joyful, spirit-filled, and peaceful. I will make choices with great love instead of great propriety. I will rebuke stress. And I will drag you along with me. Excited yet?
As I was contemplating this project aloud, one of my friends asked, "Why are you limiting yourself to a year?" My answer was this: I am not limiting, I am challenging. I am choosing to challenge myself to say Yes as much as I can this year in an effort to learn gratefulness, accept joyfulness, and experience the fullness of life itself. When this year is over, I hope that this challenge has brought me to a place that will allow me to more richly experience the journey of life every day. And I hope you'll still be with me. Because a long journey is always more fun when someone else is along for the ride.
Pursue your dreams not others expectations. Don't just go though the motions of life Live Laugh Love.
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