Day 26: Theme Song

Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it. Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a sacrifice - offer it. Life is love - enjoy it. –Sai Baba

Happy Day 26 everyone!!

Quick, go eat something! ;) How did your fast or mini-fast go yesterday? Remember, it’s not about “not eating,” but rather noticing what thoughts and feelings we experience when removing food. The truth is, we could remove any stimulus from our day and notice what shows up when we remove it. The important part of the activity is what we “notice” – it’s not about the actual activity 



Day 26: Theme Song
Haven’t you always wanted your own theme song? If so, what would it be? So, today, your activity is to find that one song that really is your “go-to” song. You can either treat this as your theme song – or the song that inspires you most. Make a point to listen to it a few times during the day – and let it inspire you. Take some time to reflect on what it is about the song that does it for you. Do some listening and journaling.

The Ultimate Playlist: Okay, EVERYONE NEEDS TO POST THEIR SONG!!!!!! Go to Youtube and find your song – and then post it in the blog thread. This could be an awesome playlist of everyone’s songs. So – share your song with everyone!!!! Just think of the new music that is going to inspire everyone!!!

Conference Call: Are you ready for another conference call? If you are on schedule, Day 30 will end next Wednesday. So, let’s plan on having a conference call next Thursday night – at 9pm, ET. It will be a great opportunity for everyone to get on the call and reflect on their experiences. Hopefully you can make it!!!

Keep signing up!: If you are in interested in the “YES and” program, or 30 Days of YES for Couples – send me your e-mail. Also, if you know anyone wanting to try 30 Days of YES for the first time – have them send me their e-mail.

Have a great YES day everyone!

Travis Thomas
Laughing Yes
travislthomas@mac.com


i thank You God for most this amazing
day; for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes.--e. e. cummings

Day 25: The Fast Lane

Attachment is the great fabricator of illusions; reality can be attained only by someone who is detached. --Simone Weil

Happy Day 25 everyone!!!!!

How did your day go talking to someone who inspires you? I loved this day!! I got the pleasure of hanging out with an inspiring group of men that I work with, and then was able to spend the rest of the night with three people who have provided so much inspiration in my life. Thank you Traci, Heather, and Sandy!!!! I hadn’t planned this visit in conjunction with the activity – but it sure worked out!

Also, back in Florida during the holidays – I took a few minutes to sit down and interview a friend of mine who has also been an inspiration. I recorded our chat – and I have attached it to this e-mail. So Evan – thanks again for sharing your inspiration with everyone!

What about you – who did you talk to???



Day 25: The Fast Lane
This will be a fun activity! Stretch yourself today to skip at least one of your normal meals. Can you skip two meals? What if you didn’t eat the whole day? The opportunity here is to spend time noticing the thoughts and power we give to food. So, what thoughts and feeling show up in your experience when you break your normal eating routine? That is your challenge for today.

Please take some time at the end of the day to journal and capture your insights. And of course – share them with the community!!!

YES and: I have begun to hear from some of you interested in continuing in the YES and group once we have completed 30 days. Again, if you are interested – send me your e-mail!

COMING SOON: What would it look like if you AND your partner lived YES together? So, starting sometime in February – we will be offering 30 Days of YES: For Couples!!!! Hollister and I will be co-facilitating this group – and will be going through the experience as well. So, if you and your partner are interested in that – please let me know!!!

Have a wonderful YES day everyone!

Travis Thomas
Laughing YES
travislthomas@mac.com

"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes."
--e. e. cummings

Day 24: Aw Shucks!

"Learning is finding out that you already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you. You are all learners, doers, and teachers."
--Richard Bach

Happy Day 24 everyone!

How did the exercise go of getting to reflect and reboot three times during the day? One of my beeps came during lunch and I was able to sit there for a few moments and think back over the previous few hours. I definitely noticed some anxious and contentious thoughts – and also noticed a presence of grace that stayed with me as well. Good old grace…I will take all I can get.

Anything big show up for anyone? Or, did any of your reboots really stop you in your tracks? I spoke to a friend the other day doing the 30 Day program and she commented how she has been loving how conscious and awake she has been recently. She feels she is constantly “noticing” her thoughts and beliefs – and it is constant, but she is so grateful that she is awake and noticing the thoughts – instead of being the thoughts. That is fantastic!



Day 24: Aw Shucks!
Who doesn’t like being told that you inspire them? Come on. That is the gift you get to give today. Take the opportunity either in person or on the phone to tell someone how they inspire you – and why! Be forthright. Then, if you get the chance – ask them a question or two to help them open up and share some insights.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if we all shared some of the insights from the people that inspire us? That would be a great collection!

Inspiring story: If you have the time and have never seen this story – check it out. Each of us has YES in us – and sometimes we just need the right opportunity to let it out. Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaXVk5GBx-s

YES and…: If you are interested in continuing on once the 30 Days have been completed – let me know and I will put you on the list.

Have a wonderful YES day everyone!

Travis Thomas
Laughing Yes
travislthomas@mac.com


"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes."--e. e. cummings

Day 23: Reboot

Human freedom involves our capacity to pause, to choose the one response toward which we wish to throw our weight. –Rollo May

Happy Day 23 everyone!

I think Rollo’s quote really captures the motivation for today’s exercise. Today is all about taking moments of pause, consciously reflecting on the previous few hours, and then intentionally choosing how to move forward with the day.



Day 23: Reboot
(I thought that title had a better ring than Ctrl+Alt+Delete)
So, today’s assignment is to set yourself reminders at least three times during the day. Using your cell phone, or computer, spread out three reminders to go off during the day - at which time you will pause – reflect on your thoughts over that period of time – take stock – and then choose how you would like to move forward. If we find ourselves in a funk – it might be the perfect time to reboot and start anew – in that moment! I would suggest taking your journal with you throughout the day to capture your thoughts.

I can’t wait to hear how this goes for everyone (hint…hint) – keep your responses coming :)

Make sure you check the comments on the blog page – there are some wonderful responses posted over the past few days.

I AM: In case you haven’t seen the documentary by Tom Shadyac, it is now available on DVD. I saw it twice in the theater, and recently purchased it to share with some of the boys on the hall. This documentary will definitely help you live your YES. Check it out: http://iamthedoc.com/

Give Up: Well, read this blog first. A good friend of mine posted this blog this week – and I thought it fit in perfectly with pausing – listening – and surrendering to Love. Enjoy: http://www.freakybeautiful.com/2012/01/when-albert-einstein-gave-up.html

YES and: I am very aware that our 30 days are quickly coming to a close. I am not sure the specifics yet, but there will be some options moving forward. 1) continue on with “YES and” where I continue to post a new assignment each day. This would be for everyone who has completed the 30 days. 2) I also want to start another 30 Day program for new people. 3) My wife and I have already created another 30 Day program – with many others in the works. If you are interested in any of the above…let me know!!!

YES!!!!

Travis Thomas
travislthomas@mac.com
“Laughing Yes”
Blog page: http://blog.directlifecoach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/30-Days-of-YES
Youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/30DaysofYES?feature=watch

Day 22: Living YES and...

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.–E E. Cummings

I imagine that yes is the only living thing. –E. E. Cummings

Happy Day 22 everyone!

It is amazing the quotes you can find on “yes” when you search for it. In case I was unsure of the importance of “yes,” I think the quotes in this e-mail confirm it. Phew, and I thought it was just me ;)

So You Think You Can Dance?: Haha! I love hearing the dance stories. Some of you have e-mailed me, and we have posted a few stories in the blog comments. AND…I even posted two videos of dancing in the blog post. You will find Chris ‘working it’ to some reggae – and you will see my kids proving that you are never too young to live your YES. In fact, “30 Days of YES: for Kids!” – coming soon! So, to check out those dances, just go to yesterday’s post :)




Day 22: Living YES and…
Today is one of my favorite days because it reinforces what ‘yes’ means to me. Your YES is your purpose, passion, highest calling – the authenticity who makes you who you are! YES is also the basis of improvisation. Improvisation is based on the principle and premise that work in complete cooperation with everyone you perform with. You achieve success and create awe-inspiring stories through “cooperation and agreement” – based on saying YES to each other’s ideas. Everything is build upon because you ‘accept’ your partners offer – then build off of it with new information which is the ‘and.’ A scene, like a building, is built from a strong foundation, one layer and floor at a time based on trusting, listening, and building off of each other’s ideas. No one is in control, no one owns the ideas, scene, or story – it is complete cooperation.

So, how is the different than life?

Conversely, living “No,” or “Yes, BUT,” is all about protecting our own turf, and often competing with those we need to cooperate with. I would go so far to say that any relationship in your life that feels like a strain right now – can probably be traced back to one of you competing with the other person – instead of cooperation. We do this with friends, family, co-workers, etc. Living YES means looking for ways to GIVE to a situation, while living NO means we are looking for ways to GET from someone or something.

So, TODAY – your assignment is to be conscious throughout the day of how often you want to say YES to situations, and how often you catch yourself wanting to say NO. Be conscious of it. How does it make you feel? What do we notice as the basis for wanting to say NO when we do? At the end of the day, break out your journal and do some deep listening on how the day went. I can’t wait to hear what comes up for you!

Keep sharing!: Make sure you keep posting your feedback in the blogs – as well as the 30 Days of YES facebook page. I will occasionally post a video or something inspiring on the Facebook pages.

That is all for today – have an awesome YES day!


The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure. –Joseph Campbell


Travis Thomas
travislthomas@mac.com
“Laughing Yes”
Blog page: http://blog.directlifecoach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/30-Days-of-YES
Youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/30DaysofYES?feature=watch

Day 21: Footloose

There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good. ~Edwin Denby

We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance. ~Japanese Proverb

Happy Day 21 everyone!

Today is the final day of three weeks of YES! No matter where you are on your 30 day journey – give yourself a pat on the back. If you are reading this e-mail, at the very least, you are pondering living your YES! This journey is going to look different for everyone – so it doesn’t matter where you are – the only thing that matters is that you are finding new ways to say YES to yourself…YES to life…and YES to abundance!!

Listening to the animals: How did this go for everyone? This is the kind of experience that can really open some new insights for people – and would love to hear about them. Evan posted his animals experience in the blog – so go check that out. As for the rest of you – let’s hear it!!!!



Day 21: Footloose!Are you terrified? “He is calling this activity Footloose, and he has two dancing quotes at the top of the e-mail. Please…say that he is not going to make us…you know…dance!! Noooooooooo!!!!!!” YES YES YES!!! Day 21. The end of the third week. You have done some deep listening, phoned friends, gotten rid of stuff, and even had to listen to animals. Today! Today we dance!

For 10-15 minutes…you need to dance! You can dance alone, with a friend, in a club, in your bedroom…like a crazy person in the subway. It doesn’t matter – just dance. Free yourself…feel silly…throw on your MC Hammer pants (that’s me) – and shake it like a Polaroid picture ;)

Do you dare? For those of you really feeling the YES – video yourself – and I will post it. Oh yeah!!!!

As a little treat – I am posting a video of a little dancing I did with my improv comedy group a few years ago. We choreographed a dance to celebrate all the great music moments of the 80’s. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5I7_-pnavk&feature=player_embedded

Have a wonderful YES day everyone. 21 days in the book!

YES!!!!!

Travis Thomas
travislthomas@mac.com
“Laughing Yes”
Blog page: http://blog.directlifecoach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/30-Days-of-YES
Youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/30DaysofYES?feature=watch

Day 20: Wilbur!!

“Silent” and “Listen” are spelled with the same letters. –Unknown

Happy Day 20 everyone!

How awesome is that quote – I love it! Man, that Unknown was one wise person ;)

So, I just got done creating my pile of clothes to give away. Finding 10 things was not a problem, so if there are any of you who were a few items under 10, I probably have you covered. This is something I do a couple of times a year – yet I never have a problem getting rid of more stuff. Stuff, stuff, stuff – how do we get so much stuff? The tricky part was going through Hollister’s things and trying to pick 10 items. I sent her a video of my selections, but am yet to hear back (gulp).



Day 20: Wilbur!I know this one is going to stretch most of you. Your assignment today is to listen to an animal (or animals). It could be your pet, a neighbor’s pet, a squirrel in the backyard or park, or maybe even a trip to the zoo for those who want to go the extra mile. You ask, “Why are we listening to animals?” Well, it has been proven on many…many levels that animals are much more intelligent than we give them credit for…especially when it comes to their ability to listen and communicate on a more intuitive level – as well as being able to perceive people and situations on a deeper intuitive level. So, can you go into a listening space today and allow yourself (ego) to be the student – and allow the animal to be the teacher? That is the humble listening space we are looking for. Once you do some listening – break out the journal and write down what you heard!!

Okay – I would love to hear from as many of you as possible on this one :)

Don’t Give Up: I continue to hear from more of you who have hit some resistance this past week. If you have stopped, and you’re not sure it is resistance – it is probably resistance. Don’t take it personally – just dust yourself off and keep going. I found this video today that inspires me every time I see it. I remember watching this race on TV in 1992 – and the Visa commercial made it famous years later. In case you plan on giving up – give this a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZlXWp6vFdE&feature=related

Reminder: In case you don’t remember – you are worth it! Your individual growth and evolution is worth it – and it is needed for yourself, those around you – and the world! Can you feel it?

Have a wonderful YES day.

“For those who don’t NO!”

Travis Thomas
travislthomas@mac.com
“Laughing Yes”
Blog page: http://blog.directlifecoach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/30-Days-of-YES
Youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/30DaysofYES?feature=watch