In the quiet corners of our minds, where future aspirations dwell, there was an intriguing idea stirring within me. It was a simple notion, yet its potential for transformation was vast: the conscious development of a habit that thrived on affirmation – the habit of saying "Yes, and."
Traditionally, my conversations followed a familiar pattern, a natural rhythm dominated by the word "but." Like a gatekeeper, "but" stood guard, ready to question, to challenge, to counter. "But this," I would say. "But that," and the dialogue would often spiral into a duel of perspectives rather than a collaborative journey.
The prospect of change seemed daunting, almost contradictory as I resolved to shed the "but," yet stumbled over it while expressing my resolve. This paradox became the catalyst for my 2025 aspiration: to embrace the "yes, and" approach with open arms.
"Yes, and" is more than just verbal acceptance. It's an acknowledgment of the speaker’s viewpoint and an invitation to weave in my perspective. Yet, the transition would require more than intention—it demanded mindful practice. I envisaged leveraging tools like ChatGPT to rehearse this new harmony in conversations, crafting responses where my thoughts could align and expand upon the views of others.
Part of this metamorphosis involved restful thinking. Instead of rapid-fire responses, I sought a deliberate pause, a tranquil moment to gather thoughts, before unleashing them into the world. The recent introduction of Miro into my life aided this restful practice. It seemed to slow time, allowing my ideas to simmer and mature.
Still, a lingering worry persisted: Could this newfound restfulness seduce me into sluggishness, into excessive contemplation? The challenge lay in striking the balance—maintaining the introspective calm while ensuring my responses remained vibrant and engaged.
As I navigated this landscape of change, it felt right. It felt like a journey worth embarking upon, despite the bumps of contradiction and the slips of habitual "buts." Each step toward the "yes, and" mentality was a step toward a more empathetic, enriching interaction with the world.
And so, the experiment begins, a venture into acceptance and expansion, where every "yes" unfurls into a world of possibilities, and every "and" builds bridges toward understanding. The journey is as much about embracing the melody of a shared dialogue as it is about reshaping the language of my life.
Traditionally, my conversations followed a familiar pattern, a natural rhythm dominated by the word "but." Like a gatekeeper, "but" stood guard, ready to question, to challenge, to counter. "But this," I would say. "But that," and the dialogue would often spiral into a duel of perspectives rather than a collaborative journey.
The prospect of change seemed daunting, almost contradictory as I resolved to shed the "but," yet stumbled over it while expressing my resolve. This paradox became the catalyst for my 2025 aspiration: to embrace the "yes, and" approach with open arms.
"Yes, and" is more than just verbal acceptance. It's an acknowledgment of the speaker’s viewpoint and an invitation to weave in my perspective. Yet, the transition would require more than intention—it demanded mindful practice. I envisaged leveraging tools like ChatGPT to rehearse this new harmony in conversations, crafting responses where my thoughts could align and expand upon the views of others.
Part of this metamorphosis involved restful thinking. Instead of rapid-fire responses, I sought a deliberate pause, a tranquil moment to gather thoughts, before unleashing them into the world. The recent introduction of Miro into my life aided this restful practice. It seemed to slow time, allowing my ideas to simmer and mature.
Still, a lingering worry persisted: Could this newfound restfulness seduce me into sluggishness, into excessive contemplation? The challenge lay in striking the balance—maintaining the introspective calm while ensuring my responses remained vibrant and engaged.
As I navigated this landscape of change, it felt right. It felt like a journey worth embarking upon, despite the bumps of contradiction and the slips of habitual "buts." Each step toward the "yes, and" mentality was a step toward a more empathetic, enriching interaction with the world.
And so, the experiment begins, a venture into acceptance and expansion, where every "yes" unfurls into a world of possibilities, and every "and" builds bridges toward understanding. The journey is as much about embracing the melody of a shared dialogue as it is about reshaping the language of my life.
Akshansh