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Rhimes is a private person, an introvert’s introvert. She
hated publicity, interviews, and foofaraw, all of which
scared her to the point of panic. “NO” was a much safer word
until, on Thanksgiving Day a few years ago, her sister said
six words that set Rhimes back on her heels: “’You never say
yes to anything.’”
A few days later, after those words sunk in, Rhimes realized
how wrong it was that her sister was right. Rhimes was
“miserable” and knew that she shouldn’t be, so before she
was tempted to let the idea go forever, she texted a friend
and vowed to say “YES” to everything scary for one year’s
time.
Almost immediately, the “Universe” sent her the first
challenge: an invitation to speak at her alma mater’s
graduation. Next came an invitation to interview with Jimmy
Kimmel and, said Rhimes when it was done, “I didn’t die.”
She said yes to letting go of outdated ideas about
motherhood. She became “a big social butterfly” before
learning to say yes to play. As an F.O.D. (a “First. Only.
Different.”), she’d already said yes to “literally changing
the face of television,” but she had to learn to watch the
yeses she stuffed in her face… and she said yes to
weight loss.
She said yes to those who inspired her.
She said yes to compliments.
She said yes to learning how to appropriately say “no.”
She said yes to singlehood because everybody’s “happy
ending” is different. And she said yes because “Saying yes…
is courage.”
With all she has on her plate – one high-profile company,
three kids, four hit TV shows - you should wonder where
author Shonda Rhimes found time to write a book. And you
should be glad she did.
With wisdom, wit sharper than a Ginsu knife, and the warmth
of a BFF, Rhimes takes readers on her year-plus-long
journey, from “It’s NEVER going to get better” to a life of
joy, on a road filled with potholes of self-doubt, hairpin
curves, and the realization that inviting fears into her
life wasn’t going to kill her. Yes, I loved it.
Inspirational? YES, and because her TV creations are
dramas, you’ll be surprised and delighted to find that
Rhimes is a funny writer, too. She’s also thoughtful, and
her experiences will make you think: maybe you do
need play. Maybe you do need to learn when
“no” is appropriate. Maybe you do need Year of Yes,
no holding back. |
