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[mjmooney]

Make the World Your Classroom

Saying “yes” promises an adventure. This three-letter affirmation can transport you to any destination you choose. In the past, I have mentioned traveling and agreeing to go on adventures with friends and family. I traveled to Athens this past weekend, which seems to be invisible compared to what I have planned for next year. I am excited to say “yes” to immersing myself in different cultures, food, and lifestyles with a study abroad. Say “yes”, and the world becomes your classroom with opportunities for personal growth. Traveling will create lifelong connections, global perspectives, and problem-solving abilities when navigating a new environment. Ultimately, by saying “yes” to a study abroad experience, you’ll return home with many new memories and an appreciation for the richness of your life and our world. Embrace the uncertainties and say “yes”!

[mjmooney]

Expand Your Horizons this Summer!

Previously, I have talked about saying “yes” to learning new information to expand my horizons and I have talked about saying “yes” to taking a leap of faith and filling my summer with an internship. Seizing opportunities by saying “yes” unlocks new pathways for growth and achievement. This simple three-letter word carries so much power to reshape your life, so I have decided to say “yes” to summer classes. With my major being one of the longest paths with the fewest classes abroad, I have to take summer classes to stay on the right track toward graduation. I was doubting if I should graduate in my major, but I decided to persevere and take the summer courses because I like the subject. The road ahead may be challenging, but a simple “yes” today can pave the way for extraordinary tomorrows.

[mjmooney]

Travel While You're Young!

One of the best ways to experience life and make joyous memories while doing so is by traveling. It is hands down one of the best activities to do because it can be enriching, a learning experience, culturally enlightening, and a great way to spend time with family or friends. This weekend I am going to Athens, Georgia to visit one of my longtime best friends. She invited me to come visit her for one of their sorority functions and for a big festival that UGA has. This is one of the times that I have said “yes” and I am not nervous or scared of the outcome because I already know that I love to travel and meet new people. However, I know that is not always the case. If you say yes to visiting any other college or say yes to going abroad or even just traveling anywhere in general, it will most likely make you want to keep traveling and meeting new people because trying new things never disappoints! Say “yes” to travel!

[mjmooney]

Learn Anything and Everything

Recently, I have said yes to attending an event to learn more and shine a light on a certain topic for one of my classes. Although this is a graded assignment for my class called "Beyond the Classroom", I was hesitant to complete it because it required me leaving my comfortable bed or make time in my day when I could have been doing more productive things. Instead of rejecting the assignment and completely missing out on learning valuable information, I said yes to go. This is one of the most valuable lessons that I could have experienced from saying yes to an event that I did not necessarily want to partake in. That is because there is so much going on in the world, but I had no idea because I have been stuck in my little bubble of family, friends, and college. Attending this event made me want to be more involved with my community, nation, and world. Say “yes” to live an enriched life!

[mjmooney]

Celebrating Life

Today, the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball team won the national championships. I was timid to jump in the fountain by the Thomas Cooper Library as a celebration of their hard work because I was uncertain about the state of its cleanliness and hygiene. However, when my roommates asked me if I would like to join them, I said “yes” because that was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am glad that I said yes to celebrating because now I can tell this story and say that I was part of history. Not only did I say yes to celebrations, but I said yes to making unforgettable memories with my friends. Don’t let silly things like pond cleanliness stop you from celebrating life!

[mjmooney]

The higher the Risk, the Higher the Reward

Taking chances and gambling opportunities has a lot of risk, but it also has a lot of reward. I was blessed to start a job with one of my roommates at the state house. While I was very anxious going into this job, having no expectation, and being scared that I was going to mess up or embarrass myself. Little did I know, but saying yes to this job has led me to an abundant number of opportunities. I have made great connections which has led me straight into an internship this summer. However, you could also be rejected when putting yourself out there and deciding to say yes to taking chances. This happened to me when I was applying for summer internships. Instead of giving up, you have to take another chance and decide to put yourself out there again because everything happens for a reason and chances are, that opportunity wouldn’t have been worth your time! 

[mjmooney]

Say Yes to Hobbies!

Today, I tried something that I don't usually do. Typically, on Easter Sunday, I am with my family doing some activity. However, this year looked a little different. My entire family was traveling and out of town, so I was alone this Easter. The first “yes” I committed to this weekend was going home for Easter without family. However, one of my friends decided to take me under their wing this weekend and get me active. The second “yes” I committed to this weekend was not allowing the fact that I was alone going to ruin my weekend. Instead, my friend helped me out by getting food with me, taking me out on the boat, going to the beach, and taking me to play pickleball. Little did I know that pickleball was going to be my new favorite hobby. So, say “yes” to find new hobbies!

[mjmooney]

Rise and Thrive

In the realm of personal development, few habits foster a transformation. Often, the battle begins the moment our alarms go off, our warm sheets tempting us to stay in bed all day long. I fight the battle between my cozy bed and alarm every day and it never gets easier. But getting out of bed gives us the opportunity to try new things and say “yes”. The first “yes” that everybody says every single day is the moment they decide to get up and seize the day. One thing that I have recently learned is the great habit of waking up early. It gives me more time in my day to do the things that I love. Start saying yes to seizing the day!

[mjmooney]

Conquer Intimidation Head-On

Being worldly is also part of saying yes – embracing new challenges. This year, I took on the challenge of traveling overseas by my lonesome. I decided to go to Punta Cana for spring break with some of my friends and we had to plan all of the excursions, hotels, transportation, etc.. Then, I traveled straight from Punta Cana to another vacation with my parents in Florida. This was very intimidating to handle alone, but saying “yes” to this experience with my friends made this an unforgettable trip with memories I will be sharing forever. This was hands-on one of the best decisions I have made just by simply being in the right mindset and saying one word, “Yes”.

[mjmooney]

The Big Result in Trying New Things

Throughout this new year, 2024, I have been open-minded to trying new things. I try to avoid saying “no” and it has paid off tremendously. This Tuesday, I made two decisions to get out of my bed and say “yes”. Firstly, I said yes to working out. Secondly, I said yes to trying a new type of workout called “The Step”, a class involving functional step choreography with lots of cardio. I was hesitant to joining the class because it was foreign, and I was scared of embarrassing myself. But I went and ended up having one of the best times while working out! This class is going to be a weekly routine thanks to saying “yes”.

[mjmooney]

Hacking Happiness with Saying "Yes"

Saying “yes” opens the door to new opportunities and experiences. Whether trying new cuisine, trying a new gym, switching jobs, or embarking on a spontaneous trip, each “yes” I have ever said has expanded my horizon and added richness to my life. I recently said yes to a spontaneous trip with my friends and will never regret it. We were active, healthy, and adventurous. Saying “yes” not only added richness to my own life, but it also deepened connections with others and changed the lives of the people around me. It fosters a positive mindset and is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s just one word, so say yes!

[mjmooney]

The Sooner You Get Active the Better

This St. Patrick’s Day, I swapped sleeping in for greenery and laced up my running shoes! I embraced my natural roots of being Irish and participated in running a 5k at 7:45 am. It was not just a race, it was a celebration of health, community, and the luck of the Irish. The race got me out of bed and the started my Saturday on the right foot! If I had not gotten active and out of bed this St. Patrick’s Day morning, then I wouldn’t have gotten a workout in, a medal to tell great stories, or made memories while cold plunging with friends after. The lesson I learned from this weekend was don’t be intimidated to try new things. Stop saying no to opportunities and start saying yes!