Hi Everyone,

I have a lot of writing projects swirling around me right now so I don’t have time to write my usual invitation story. But I want to get the next show scheduled so you can get it on your calendar.

Next month’s theme is “Permission Slips – Stories of going for it”

Four years ago a friend of mine told me my favorite word was no. I said, “Of course it is. Do you know how many times I’ve screwed up my life by saying yes?” To me, yes is a four-letter word cleverly disguised as a three-letter word. “Say yes less!” is my motto. Or at least it was. Two years ago I decided to give myself permission to do anything that I normally would run from. (Well almost. I still don’t eat sardines.)

Three months ago I gave myself permission to be set up on my first blind date.

Result #1: I was notified by text the next day that there had been absolutely no spark between us.

Result #2: Realized that even at my advanced age I can still find new ways to embarrass myself on a date.

Result #3: My heart didn’t explode and get all over the cat. I woke up the next day feeling just as loved as I did the day before.

Earlier this year I gave myself permission to stand up to the director of my agency and demand to know the why he rearranged the the entire organization.

Result #1: He totally slammed me verbally and I got all red in the face. Right in front of everyone too.

Result #2: All the people I work with gave me props for having the guts to do it. I quietly started collecting boxes to put my stuff in for when I got fired.

Result #3: Six months later I still have a job. The director smiled at me the other day and asked how I was doing.

Last month I gave myself permission to be set up on my second blind date.

Result #1: Discovered if I treat each date like an open mic it doesn’t hurt so much when I bomb.

Result #2: Learning that being awkwardly and uncomfortably honest on a first date can be charming if you’re with the right person.

Result #3: I’m running out of out of secrets to share and she still wants to spend time with me. I feel like I made it from open mic to opening act.

That’s the kind of stuff I’ve been giving myself permission to do lately and I’m starting to think that I’m going to have to come up with a new motto. “Say Yes if the Given Circumstances Warrant a Reasonable Effort?” “Go For It As Long As the Worst Case Scenario Won’t Require an Operation?” “Say Yes to Be Your Best and Confess to Reading Herman Hesse?”

While I’m working on a new motto you can take the next few weeks and come up with a story about a time where you gave yourself permission to do something (or even not do something). What did you discover about yourself? Did it lead to taking more chances? Or did it teach you a lesson about thinking before you leap? Are you glad everything worked out the way it did or do you wish you’d done something else that day?

Remember to keep it clean, practice out loud, and make sure it’s under 8 minutes. Here are the updated Rules & Guidelines for telling a story at the show:

https://freshgroundstories.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/storytelling-rules-and-guidelines/

I hope to see you at the next FGS, Thursday, Dec 8, 7:00pm at the Roy St Cafe.

Paul
freshgroundstories@gmail.com