On a whirlwind trip, Grace reminds me that abundant living begins when we say yes.
In a world overflowing with pessimism, cynicism, and negativity, what might happen if we chose something different? What might change if we instead stepped into life with hope, optimism, faith?
I get to see what that looks like almost every day through the life of my daughter, Grace.
She lives with a powerful posture toward every aspect of life: Yes.
Last week I had the great pleasure of speaking in Hawaii. It was one of those incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and the client offered me two plane tickets. The catch was the trip would be quick. More than twelve hours on a plane for barely twenty-four hours on the island before flying back home.
With all our kids on spring break, I floated the opportunity to the family. Beth and the boys already had commitments and didn’t feel like cancelling those to make such a quick trip.
That left one option: Grace.
Before letting her answer, I laid it out honestly. The long flights. The jet lag. The quick turnaround. The fact that once we arrived, I still had some work to do…including signing some 400+ books immediately upon arrival.
Before I even finished explaining, she answered adamantly, “YES!”
So last Tuesday, we hugged her mom and brothers goodbye, boarded a plane, and thirteen hours later landed in paradise.
While the time there was short, the joy was not. We swam in the ocean and drank Shirley Temples by the pool. We watched the sunset over the water and got up early to watch it rise over a volcano. We explored as much of the island as we could, enjoyed our speaking sessions, and then headed straight back to the airport for another long flight home.
What struck me most during this quick trip to paradise wasn’t the beauty of Hawaii. No, it was the light within Grace. She doesn’t approach experiences with hesitation, cynicism, or negativity. She chooses a simple openness to the gift in front of her: Yes.
My friends, you don’t have to fly to Hawaii to live like this. The same invitation is sitting quietly in front of you today. It might look like:
- Calling someone you’ve been meaning to reach out to.
- Joining your family for dinner instead of one more email.
- Trying something you’ve been afraid to attempt.
- Serving someone who needs encouragement.
- Setting the phone down to more fully live the moment you’re in.
Abundant living isn’t about seeking perfection, but about active, joyful and faithful participation.
So today, take a cue from a teenage girl who seems to understand something many of us have forgotten along the way. When life offers you a chance to live, serve, laugh, connect, or love, just say yes.
Because the world doesn’t need more pessimism, cynicism or negativity. We need more people courageous enough to embrace the miraculous gift in front of them right now.
And all that is required is one simple word.
Yes.
Today is your day. Live Inspired.
31 replies on “One Simple Word”
Thank you. Just got through watching movie soul on fire as the ending came went to turn to another show movie when decided to look u up with Google what an inspiration thank u
It was wonderful having you in Hawaii with us and I’m happy you had a chance to share it with your daughter.
FANTASTIC! What a beautiful gift! How meaningful!
Thank you for sharing!
Coming back from the trip has been a jet lag but a wonderful experience. Back to reality of a good life and grateful for each day. I first watched your movie then was blessed to see you at the service hero’s event in Kona. Thank you.
Love your post! I spent too much time working when my daughter was younger and so, she’s 25 now but not married yet so we jump at opportunities to catch up and find days we can spend time together. (Your daughter’s expression behind the mountains of books says it all! Such an important message to today’s young families). Three weeks ago, in 1 day, I drove us 9 hours total, went to her favorite composers’ concert. That was amazing but it wasn’t the “doing” as much as the connecting with conversations and the hundreds of little things in that day that add up to so much. An older gentleman during intermission of that concert had lost his balance and fallen in the midst of hundreds of people and it was something watching my daughter (who has worked in crisis situations) not hesitate at all and assume the role of initiating his care (she said YES!). I’m proud of her and amazed to see her heart for others who might need a hand. I’ve enjoyed every post and I just wanted to say I appreciate you guys! Thank you and keep up the great work!
Dear John… I didn’t have the pleasure of hearing your story or personally meeting with while you were in Hawaii, but I was blessed to be a companion for a Service Hero. Your session was the talk of the resort for the duration of our stay! You inspired hundreds of workers with your story & how you inspire others to live a full life. I wish the companions would’ve been able to partake in your unbelievable session. I did see you & Grace by the pool, but glad I didn’t interfere with your father/daughter time during your short trip to one of the most beautiful places on Earth! I’m so looking forward to reading your book. Grace sounds a lot like me when I was her age, and I’m still embracing the YES in life! Life is a journey & God puts people & opportunities in the path and we have to remain childlike to continue to say YES. Not to be scared of the unknown or the short visits/interactions. It was a gift that I was able to go on that trip! Thank you for sharing your story & being a light to people everywhere!
Love that you were able to take your daughter with you! Thank you for sharing!
Love this! A great reminder to take full advantage of opportunity.
Your message is spot on! I was just talking to my daughter yesterday about how the current conditions have made me cynical! It is easy to let this pervade life but it is much better to look beyond that to notice the positive, joyful things that are still happening in our daily lives! We need to keep things in perspective! Thank you for the reminder!
This is SO true! I’d love to pass this message on to my fellow UNICO members! We all try to live this in our service to our Community!
What a powerful reminder. The year after my husband passed, my friends rallied around and I proclaimed that I was going to have a year of YES. It was an amazing year filled with new experiences and really helped me through some trying days. That was 11 years ago, and I am happily reminded of those days from your story about your daughter.
I always look forward to your Monday messages to see where they may lead me. Thanks for your generous spirit in sharing with all of us.
Awesome message. Thank you!
Great reminder John, thanks for sharing! I love Grace’s approach to life…YES!
So awesome and contagious!
Oh this is so beautiful. I want to be more like Grace! I will think of her when I’m making the decision to stay home and be cozy (nice, too, sometimes), or get out there and enjoy friends and life! Thank you, Grace and John. (How old is Grace now?)
Thank you
Thank you for being such a great witness of YES, Grace. You remind me of this beautiful quote by Fr. Wilfrid Stinisse – “The greatest word that a human being has ever uttered is amazingly simple. Our first reaction when we hear this word is perhaps: ‘Is that all?’ Yes, that is all! Mary said Yes to God.”
SUCH AMAZING STORY, WHAT A SMILE ON MY FACE HOW COULD NOT SMILE SEEING ALL THIS JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you-I needed this reminder about being present and to enjoy everyday to the fullest!
Love this
Hi John,
I’m certain you hear that you are an inspiration through you daily messages all the time. In full agreement. Your powerful messages taught me think about what our short life on this earth should be about, and how we all can impact others with Gods word.
I am retiring from the industry I have worked in for over 40 years at the end of April and have attended many conferences with notable keynote speakers. Some American heros, some notable celebrities and some renowned sports figures. I can honestly say that the most impactful and profound presentation was the one you gave on your life and the overcoming of your adversity (AICC, The Independent Packaging Association October 2025).
Yes, the people who surrounded you during your turmoil – your family, Jack, your nurse were all impactful with your recovery buy your perseverance through God alone made you who you are today.
“On Fire” was a book which sits on my shelf along with many of my favorites. The movie was brilliant, but the book is even better. I believe your book and your ongoing presentations to those who may be on the bubble of hearing about the Word will for the most part open their hearts and listen. Love is the key. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:13
” And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
I look forward to reading your ongoing messages. Keep the faith.
Frank
Yes
This was a lovely article to start the week. It makes you wonder how simple it is to look at the world differently and remain positive.
YES YES YES
Such a beautiful time for you two together! Yes! Thank you!
Thank you so much for this! I read this on a Monday with my mind already in overdrive for my to do list. God has been working on my heart for these pause moments with some being longer than others. Just pausing to enjoy and live in the moments can make the world of difference for how my day or week goes. Thank you for the confirmation! God bless you and your family!
Love this story! Great reminder for today.
Yes! That is what I did or said, at age 68, when the Lord placed it on my heart to leave my home in CA and be hands on with an Apostolate here in AL, and the blessings have been beyond my dreams while living there for 60 years: a home in which I could invite others to for celebrations, bible studies, a front porch from which I can watch the sunrise over the tops of beautiful trees, a fireplace to bring warmth in winter, windows all around to allow the beautiful sunshine to brighten each room, a yard in back where blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries grow, and Ellie, my dog, loves to run and play.
Other blessings of saying Yes, include an ever growing spiritual family, including spiritual granddaughters and grandsons, and now, soon to be four great spiritual granddaughters. Of note is that while I said yes to move to AL, I had no job waiting for me, just the trust that He would provide, and He did. I began working for the Apostolate/Avila School for Spiritual Formation, three months after I arrived in AL, and am still working part time today, at age 77.
While your daughter, Grace, is 15 and able to say Yes, I believe there is no age limit, as you can tell by my story, to say Yes to whatever adventure or task the Lord may place in front of you.
What a tremendous—and true—motivational, inspirational message! Thanks for firing me up this morning, John.
John, Thank you so much to you and Grace for making that trip. I had seen the movie “Soul On Fire” on the way to Hawaii and was blessed by that. I was in the front of the room to hear you speak there in Hawaii. You challenged me that day to live in gratitude. I know that many of us that heard you also walked away changed for the better. Thank you for the signed copy of your book. I want to join you in being a soul on fire!
What a wonderful message! Many times I have heard “No” is a sentence on the flip side “Yes” is also a sentence!
Yesterday I was asked if I’d be interested in volunteering my time towards a project through our church. A great friend asked, but stated she was just mentioning it, but there was no obligation.
My answer to her was YES! I normally would have replied that I needed to think about it or that I’d see. But instead I immediately texted back Yes, sign me up and let me know when and where to meet on Thursday.
My response came from hearing you speak to our group in Hawaii last week. Your words changed my perspective on life.
I always thought I was very optimistic and positive about life, but listening to you speak made me realize I still had room to improve. I still carried a lot of doubt and I want to change that.
Thank you for your inspiration John! Listening to you was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I assure you I will pay it forward.
I will start and end each day with a smile. 😊