I have been trying to say YES. “Yes” to invitations to have dinner, or coffee, hear a speaker in town. Sometimes it is hard for me to do this. I am very comfortable at home. I am quite settled in my cottage in Pigeon Cove and enjoy my own company. But I have learned that saying YES can lead to unknown and uncharted territory, and that is important for my spiritual development.

It is quite easy to be peaceful and serene in my own living room. But it is in bumping up against other people and learning something new that our lives become more interesting. Mark Twain is quoted as saying, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Summer seems like a perfect time for this advice! Last week I went to hear Sebastian Junger speak in Gloucester. His newest book, Tribe, was for sale, and I stood in line with others so I could speak to Mr. Junger and have him sign my book. Listening to him speak about the need for community, and how natural disasters, human made catastrophes and war often lead to the strongest bonds, I found myself nodding in agreement to almost everything he said. I will be talking about some of his ideas on Sunday.

By saying YES, I learned something, heard some great stories, and didn’t feel I had wasted my time by watching another television show. This summer, practice saying YES! You never know who you will meet or what you will learn. Explore, dream and discover!

See you at 4 Cleaves Street!

Rev Susan