A while back, I found a quote that has turned into my own personal philosophy: “Say yes, and you’ll figure it out afterward.”

Funny woman Tina Fey is responsible for that little nugget of wisdom, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it.

The quote isn’t about making stupid decisions or putting yourself in danger — it’s not, for example, about saying yes when someone offers you meth or when a stranger asks if you want a ride.

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It’s about refusing to let fear of failure make you miss out on opportunities.

I’ve had a lot of firsts in the past year. I accepted an internship in Aspen, a strange little town in a faraway state I’d never before visited.

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I said yes when this job at the Post Independent was offered to me, even though it meant I’d have to move my life across the country in a matter of one week (Considering how much rent costs in this valley, I’m pretty proud of that feat).

I said yes to an email asking if I wanted to try skydiving.

I said yes when my publisher asked if I could head up FUN!, our new weekly visitor’s magazine.

I’ve said yes to myself, too. In the last year, I’ve asked myself, “Do you want to try ceramics? Do you want to try ballet? Do you want to take a law class?”

Yes. Yes. Yes.

I haven’t been perfect all this time, but I’ve figured everything out well enough to know that saying yes was the right decision in each instance.

And the beautiful thing is, the more you do it, the more you realize that you can and will figure it out, and you do it even more.

And anyway, I’d rather fail at something than regret not trying. Wouldn’t you?

Friday

Join the CCAH and Sue Drinker of Drinker Durrance Graphics from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for a free mini workshop and happy hour to add new insights, tips, apps and ideas to the best artistic tool you have at your disposal: your smart phone. The session will begin with some basic pointers on how to compose a great photo with examples of each technique from the CCAH’s current exhibit, “Walk with Me.” Popular manipulation applications will also be discussed and demonstrated.

Saturday

Don’t miss the second installment of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park’s Music on the Mountain series with Night Plane. The acoustic rock band will perform original selections as well as covers. Beginning at 4 p.m., a tram ride up Iron Mountain will cost you one can of food for LIFT-UP food pantry, and music begins at 6 p.m.

Sunday

Head up to Anderson Ranch at 7 p.m. for a free lecture from Alleghany Meadows and Andy Brayman. The guest faculty members will present slides of their work and speak about their inspiration, creative process and studio practice for one hour.

Jessica Cabe also knows how important it is to be able to say no, but yes is much more fun. She can be reached at jcabe@postindependent.com.