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Say Yes: Discover the Surprising Life Beyond the Death of a Dream
Say Yes gives you the mental and spiritual practices you need to enjoy your life again--and bring greater fullness than you could imagine before. "My life doesn't look anything like I wanted it to. How do I even keep going?" When the dreams for our life die, our vision of who we hoped to become often dies too. That's when The Voice of Giving Up appears. Visual artist and spiritual director Scott Erickson has had long midnight conversations with The Voice of Giving Up, and he knows how anxiety and depression make The Voice especially loud. But he's discovered that our darkest moments are sometimes doorways to a deeper, more joy-filled journey of recovering who we are, why we're here, and why the future bursts with possibilities if we are willing to say yes to life's brightest gifts. In Say Yes , Scott helps you learn how to reawaken your deepest desires, disempower your greatest fears, and identify the destructive narratives holding you back. Combined with Scott's beautiful, thought-provoking illustrations, this is a profound exploration of beginning again Take the first step to gain the gentle yet powerful tools you need, and say yes to what lies ahead today.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 25, 2022
158 people are currently reading
1585 people want to read
About the author
Scott Erickson
3 books43 followersScott Erickson is a touring painter, performance speaker, and creative priest who mixes autobiography, mythology, and aesthetics to create art and moments that speak to our deepest experiences.
Using his passion and commitment to craft, Scott has been a working artist for over a decade, and has had his work appear on CNN, National Geographic, and various magazines and newspaper outlets. Most recently, Scott released “Stations In The Street”, an open share stations of the cross street art show, that was hung by faith communities worldwide, and utilized for Tyler Perry’s Passion Live on Fox Television.
As a speaker, Scott brings his training as an educator and his experience as a visual communicator to all of his presentations. His goal is to bring something for his “A.D.D. brothers and sisters out there”… making sure every speech is thoughtful, entertaining, wondrous, and filled with visual elements and live creating. You can find Scott speaking at various weekend retreats, conferences, and living rooms throughout the nation.
Wrestling with his own professional burnout and clinical depression, Scott believes in turning your deepest pain into something that can be restorative. He did just that in writing his first touring one man show “We Are Not Troubled Guests” in which he navigates the surprising gift of an existential crisis through storytelling, live painting, and video curation.
He is the co-author of, Prayer: Forty Days of Practice, an adjunct professor at Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon, and a professional dishwasher for his food blogging wife.
Scott is most loved by his wife Holly and his children Anders and Elsa.
Using his passion and commitment to craft, Scott has been a working artist for over a decade, and has had his work appear on CNN, National Geographic, and various magazines and newspaper outlets. Most recently, Scott released “Stations In The Street”, an open share stations of the cross street art show, that was hung by faith communities worldwide, and utilized for Tyler Perry’s Passion Live on Fox Television.
As a speaker, Scott brings his training as an educator and his experience as a visual communicator to all of his presentations. His goal is to bring something for his “A.D.D. brothers and sisters out there”… making sure every speech is thoughtful, entertaining, wondrous, and filled with visual elements and live creating. You can find Scott speaking at various weekend retreats, conferences, and living rooms throughout the nation.
Wrestling with his own professional burnout and clinical depression, Scott believes in turning your deepest pain into something that can be restorative. He did just that in writing his first touring one man show “We Are Not Troubled Guests” in which he navigates the surprising gift of an existential crisis through storytelling, live painting, and video curation.
He is the co-author of, Prayer: Forty Days of Practice, an adjunct professor at Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon, and a professional dishwasher for his food blogging wife.
Scott is most loved by his wife Holly and his children Anders and Elsa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
May 19, 2023
FRIENDS!!! Please read this book! I don’t often write reviews but I feel very passionately about the importance of this book. Scott Erickson leads you tangibly through the process of letting go of and grieving dreams or fantasies or simply false ideas of yourself and surrendering them so that something even more beautiful and real can be born in you and your life. This book is raw, honest and talks about the human experience in a way that is not only incredibly relatable but edifying and has challenged me to live more deeply in reality.
January 17, 2022
* I read an advanced reader copy of this book as a bookseller*
I was super excited to read this book because I have been following Scott Erickson for years now on Instagram. His artwork and his writing on Instagram have been HUGE for me and I always feel uplifted by his messages. When I saw this book come up, I did not hesitate.
And this book definitely lived up to my self-made hype. Erickson has a great circular theme for his book that drives the points home through personal anecdote, the experiences of others, and input from other spiritual leaders. When I was recommending this book to a friend, I said it felt like a more accessible and funnier Richard Rohr.
Erickson uses a lot of Christianity as the backbone for his assessments, but I do think he does a great job of making the text accessible to all spiritualities. I actually liked the linking in of Christianity as someone who comes from a Christian background. It was nice to read something with Christian themes that isn’t fundamentalist or cheap.
If you are looking for a way to work through a low to get to a high, this text gives that to you without feeling like a one-dimensional self help book. Instead, it digs right into the heart of the matter — because your heart is what matters.
Highly recommend!
I was super excited to read this book because I have been following Scott Erickson for years now on Instagram. His artwork and his writing on Instagram have been HUGE for me and I always feel uplifted by his messages. When I saw this book come up, I did not hesitate.
And this book definitely lived up to my self-made hype. Erickson has a great circular theme for his book that drives the points home through personal anecdote, the experiences of others, and input from other spiritual leaders. When I was recommending this book to a friend, I said it felt like a more accessible and funnier Richard Rohr.
Erickson uses a lot of Christianity as the backbone for his assessments, but I do think he does a great job of making the text accessible to all spiritualities. I actually liked the linking in of Christianity as someone who comes from a Christian background. It was nice to read something with Christian themes that isn’t fundamentalist or cheap.
If you are looking for a way to work through a low to get to a high, this text gives that to you without feeling like a one-dimensional self help book. Instead, it digs right into the heart of the matter — because your heart is what matters.
Highly recommend!
August 22, 2025
"What? Only 2 stars?! This guy is ruthless!"
So, I like Scott Erickson's work. I actually found a number of things in the book that I agreed with or appreciated. I just didn't enjoy reading the book. Feels like it would be better as a live show/performance than as a book. Is it too meandering as a book?
I also felt like there were moments where it felt like Scott was recycling a sense of "everything happens for a reason." I think he would disagree with that assessment, but it felt like it was kind of there in some sort of a rebranded version, and that is a view that I don't agree with.
So, I like Scott Erickson's work. I actually found a number of things in the book that I agreed with or appreciated. I just didn't enjoy reading the book. Feels like it would be better as a live show/performance than as a book. Is it too meandering as a book?
I also felt like there were moments where it felt like Scott was recycling a sense of "everything happens for a reason." I think he would disagree with that assessment, but it felt like it was kind of there in some sort of a rebranded version, and that is a view that I don't agree with.
August 18, 2024
Scott Erickson’s approach to resisting the temptation to give up on oneself is refreshing, & in my case, life-saving. his vulnerability in chronicling his own pathway through life-terminating thought patterns is laudable, & inspired me (& i’m sure many others) to review my own life with fresh eyes of hope.
that said, his message is most powerfully communicated in his performance piece by the same name, Say Yes, or in interviews he gives (see his appearance on the Living Centered podcast), rather than in the written word. which, i think, is a testament in & of itself to Scott’s own journey in realizing that his true passion & calling was to be a performing artist.
still, the book offers a fresh, poetic perspective on what it means to embrace your life when all you want is to let go & give up; it also introduces habits or practices that anyone can try (most intriguing? his “death practice”) to resist those voices that insist, sometimes with fatal conviction, that the world is better off without us.
artful, tender, & funny, this book is a love-letter to suicide survivors everywhere, no matter how close to death your life-terminating thoughts have actually taken you. thanks for sharing, Scott, & thanks for saying yes.
that said, his message is most powerfully communicated in his performance piece by the same name, Say Yes, or in interviews he gives (see his appearance on the Living Centered podcast), rather than in the written word. which, i think, is a testament in & of itself to Scott’s own journey in realizing that his true passion & calling was to be a performing artist.
still, the book offers a fresh, poetic perspective on what it means to embrace your life when all you want is to let go & give up; it also introduces habits or practices that anyone can try (most intriguing? his “death practice”) to resist those voices that insist, sometimes with fatal conviction, that the world is better off without us.
artful, tender, & funny, this book is a love-letter to suicide survivors everywhere, no matter how close to death your life-terminating thoughts have actually taken you. thanks for sharing, Scott, & thanks for saying yes.
February 27, 2023
The things I liked about this book:
1) It was different. I have read a lot of books and listened to many podcasts on life purpose, dealing with disappointment and working to your strengths. But this one came to it from a different perspective that I found refreshing.
2) Short chapters, illustrations which broke up some of the print, clear outline and progression. Memorable concepts - I'm on my way, I'm a contribution, I'm a resurrection.
3) Realistic look at how our lives are complicated and sometimes we just need to sort things out and let our loves and desires float to the top. For some people this happens early in life, for others it's a progression. As a "mature" person, I can affirm that we go through seasons where our desires change and I feel our life experiences prepare us for each next step - for good and bad.
Thing I wasn't so keen on:
1) Weird end times narratives. I didn't quite see how these fit in to that part of the book. Maybe it's just me.
2) The idea that 40 is old/
1) It was different. I have read a lot of books and listened to many podcasts on life purpose, dealing with disappointment and working to your strengths. But this one came to it from a different perspective that I found refreshing.
2) Short chapters, illustrations which broke up some of the print, clear outline and progression. Memorable concepts - I'm on my way, I'm a contribution, I'm a resurrection.
3) Realistic look at how our lives are complicated and sometimes we just need to sort things out and let our loves and desires float to the top. For some people this happens early in life, for others it's a progression. As a "mature" person, I can affirm that we go through seasons where our desires change and I feel our life experiences prepare us for each next step - for good and bad.
Thing I wasn't so keen on:
1) Weird end times narratives. I didn't quite see how these fit in to that part of the book. Maybe it's just me.
2) The idea that 40 is old/
December 1, 2023
Always been a fan of Scott and have been dying to read this book. The practices that he gives throughout this book are really moving and help you connect with the Spirit in new ways
October 23, 2025
Format: Physical Book
Review More like 2.5. I am prefacing this by saying I am no longer a practicing Christian and am very averse to any kind of spirituality at this point in my life... I'm what most would call a "deconstructionist" or "exvangelical". So when this was given to me as a gift by my old spiritual mentor, I almost threw it away. It's been sitting on my bookshelf for a couple years and I've been making it a point to read through everything before I buy more books and the topic came at a time when I am so desperate for some type of wisdom, I gave it a try and I was surprised at what I found. Erickson lovingly brings his readers into a very safe space that disarms... First off, he's not an evangelical which was a good sign... I love the Lutherans and Protestants... less preachy and kind of mellow who have a beer here and there and probably cuss a little. My gut reaction of "oh god, not another fucking 'Jesus is the answer' books" was slowly let go when he spoke from the heart of where he was personally. Don't get me wrong, when one of your chapters is called "DTR with the Divine", I almost took my traumatized ass and put it in the garbage disposal. But then I came across lines like
I will say... like most self-help books, Erickson's first chapters are very strong.... he lays out the problem... and like most self-help books, when he gets into solutions, he started to lose me. I have a huge problem with people who go to therapy and then pass off their own therapy as their advice. We are so socially and culturally therapized, we already know the lingo and the stuff... A gratitude journal? No shit. A lot of the same stuff repackaged over and over and over again.
However, there are some actionable gems in there like this idea of meditating on your death. Again, passing it off like wow, this is something no one has ever thought before. But… I mean… Hamlet. “Alas poor Yorick. I knew him well.” Buddhism is the primary culture that features meditation on death, a practice called maraṇasati or "mindfulness of death". However, regardless of its origin, it's still an interesting thing to do.
Review More like 2.5. I am prefacing this by saying I am no longer a practicing Christian and am very averse to any kind of spirituality at this point in my life... I'm what most would call a "deconstructionist" or "exvangelical". So when this was given to me as a gift by my old spiritual mentor, I almost threw it away. It's been sitting on my bookshelf for a couple years and I've been making it a point to read through everything before I buy more books and the topic came at a time when I am so desperate for some type of wisdom, I gave it a try and I was surprised at what I found. Erickson lovingly brings his readers into a very safe space that disarms... First off, he's not an evangelical which was a good sign... I love the Lutherans and Protestants... less preachy and kind of mellow who have a beer here and there and probably cuss a little. My gut reaction of "oh god, not another fucking 'Jesus is the answer' books" was slowly let go when he spoke from the heart of where he was personally. Don't get me wrong, when one of your chapters is called "DTR with the Divine", I almost took my traumatized ass and put it in the garbage disposal. But then I came across lines like
You need to start wanting something from your life againto which I promptly started crying and needed a break. What can I say? Doing The Work is not easy.
I will say... like most self-help books, Erickson's first chapters are very strong.... he lays out the problem... and like most self-help books, when he gets into solutions, he started to lose me. I have a huge problem with people who go to therapy and then pass off their own therapy as their advice. We are so socially and culturally therapized, we already know the lingo and the stuff... A gratitude journal? No shit. A lot of the same stuff repackaged over and over and over again.
However, there are some actionable gems in there like this idea of meditating on your death. Again, passing it off like wow, this is something no one has ever thought before. But… I mean… Hamlet. “Alas poor Yorick. I knew him well.” Buddhism is the primary culture that features meditation on death, a practice called maraṇasati or "mindfulness of death". However, regardless of its origin, it's still an interesting thing to do.
March 18, 2024
I read this book after listening to his interview with Emily P Freeman “Find Life After Death of a Dream with Scott Erickson” (episode 209). Interested in his death practice of “imagine your death, what is your biggest regret? Get up and do that.”
This is part memoir and part a creative offering of his interactive theatre/experience. I found the personification of fears as the ‘T-Rex outside your window’ helpful. And the images throughout the book helpful.
I didn’t necessarily follow/agree the ending of the book, but that didn’t take away from the gems throughout this book. 4/5 will lead to some interesting reflections/discussions.
This is part memoir and part a creative offering of his interactive theatre/experience. I found the personification of fears as the ‘T-Rex outside your window’ helpful. And the images throughout the book helpful.
I didn’t necessarily follow/agree the ending of the book, but that didn’t take away from the gems throughout this book. 4/5 will lead to some interesting reflections/discussions.
May 18, 2022
This book felt very young and I was surprised to know the author is also in his forties. There were some fresh ideas and inspirations, mostly related to career changes.
October 17, 2023
While the book offers some valuable advice, wisdom, and a unique perspective on life, God, and spirituality, I found it to be somewhat scattered. It lacks a clearly defined plot, making it challenging to follow a structured narrative.
Erickson's insights and illustrations are thought-provoking, offering a deep exploration of the themes of rediscovering one's desires, confronting fears, and challenging the negative narratives that hold us back.
In my opinion, "Say Yes" is not a must-read but can be of interest to those seeking a different outlook on life and spirituality. It contains some worthwhile insights and wisdom, but its scattered presentation may deter readers looking for a more structured narrative. While it may not resonate with everyone, it still offers a unique perspective on resilience and personal growth.
Erickson's insights and illustrations are thought-provoking, offering a deep exploration of the themes of rediscovering one's desires, confronting fears, and challenging the negative narratives that hold us back.
In my opinion, "Say Yes" is not a must-read but can be of interest to those seeking a different outlook on life and spirituality. It contains some worthwhile insights and wisdom, but its scattered presentation may deter readers looking for a more structured narrative. While it may not resonate with everyone, it still offers a unique perspective on resilience and personal growth.
January 21, 2022
As a long-time fan of Scott-the-Painter, I got early access to the first three chapters. "Soulful" in Chapter 3 is how he describes the feeling of "aliveness" when you hear that perfect song or eat the perfect meal. This book is just that: it captures the feeling of your own soul's wavelengths perfectly connecting with something else resulting in rare harmony. Scott's writing is thoughtful, casual, and easy to relate to. He takes something very complicated and deep, yet because he's an artist, he puts a picture to it without removing the meaning, dumbing it down, or over simplifying it. I pre-ordered this book months ago, and cannot wait to finish it when it arrives.
January 30, 2022
Wow. The perfect book to start the year on. Scott hit the nail on the head about my feelings of grief and loss over my dreams, and gave me practical ways to move on from them into something better. He perfectly mixes the sacred with the crass, the encouragement with the honesty, in a way that really spoke to my soul. Plus- the art! Wow. I already have two Scott the (so much more than) Painter prints on the way. Thanks for this book and all the work you do.
August 12, 2023
A marvelous feat of combining mediums to relay a person's deepest desire. I had to read this in chunks because I was so emotional at times... Scott's ability to speak unashamedly about how his journey as an artist can encourage the average person (believing and non-believeing) is a real gift. Thanks Scott for the healthy reminder that people have something to contribute, and that it's never too late for a person's contribution to become something truly unique to themselves and Creator.
January 18, 2023
“The surrender to Love is to trust that the flow of life is happening for us instead of to us.” So many thought provoking, soul-searching words in these beautiful pages. Loved the the illustrations—both artistic and poetic. I’m a fan.
July 10, 2023
Scott Erickson is an honest artist. And he's dealt with the death of dreams. I need to buy a copy of this book so I can slowly read and meditate on it. It doesn't matter if you're an artist or not, this is a great book for anyone who's lost hope.
February 9, 2022
I CRIED A LOT HERE.
April 8, 2022
Truly amazing. Scott’s reflection on our relationship to our dreams, and our desires, and the Divine is amazing. I felt seen and hopeful.
April 29, 2022
DNF art 62%
July 3, 2023
This is really freaking good. Also very unique - a style of book that feels really different, maybe because of the interactivity ? Also read this after having attended the live version and still enjoyed !!!
December 22, 2025
This book made me think a lot, and hopefully I will continue to think on it. Because thinking is good, I think.
“The surprise is that the Giver of your life wants you to WANT a life.”
“The surprise is that the Giver of your life wants you to WANT a life.”
February 5, 2022
Probably the best book I’ll read all year
February 5, 2023
Inspirational. A nice gift from my sister at a moment in my life where I needed to read such words. The humor was definitely geared for a generation slightly older than I, but the message still came across. Overall: 3 stars
April 29, 2022
Simple but poignant, this book is for anyone who has considered / is considering giving up - on themselves, on a dream, on life in general. I know I'll be reading it again.
January 28, 2022
Fantastic. Say Yes is a splendid journey for anyone feeling that “now what” moment in their life, that internal crisis, that death of being. Surprisingly this book is translated from author Scott Erickson’s Say Yes live performances, and it works incredibly well as a written work. The drawings and words are heartfelt and make you feel as if Scott is walking with you in your current life moment. I took notes and felt as though it was a meaningful conversation rather than a “get help” book filled with clichés. I will be recommending this to many many people and be applying the wisdom found in it’s pages to my life currently and for years to come.
May 5, 2024
A MEMOIR ABOUT FAILURE AND STARTING OVER AND THE CREATIVE LIFE. I REALLY ENJOYED THIS, SAVORED IT, AND ALSO THINK IT’S THE MOST ENNEAGRAM 4 BOOK ANY ENNEAGRAM 4 COULD HAVE DREAMED OF.
February 4, 2024
I enjoyed this one! A creative and unique self help book that helps you grieve the loss of a dream, get back up, and keep creating. It provides tools and advice to help you fight the fear of failure and embrace the journey of imperfect growing. I really appreciated Scott’s honesty, vulnerability, and his beautiful artwork throughout this book.
March 16, 2024
Scott offers interesting insight into what it’s like to feel hopeless and how to address it, accomplished by sharing, honestly, his own experience. What made the read worth it to me was his contribution to the conversation about suicide and how to help someone move through and recover, even if that someone is just yourself. I’m currently studying for my masters in clinical mental health counseling, so it was a valuable exercise for me to read an artist’s unique work, one whom I’ve admired for some time, and one who is able to get to the core of things very poignantly and ask constructive questions.
Although I personally got distracted by the frequency of Christian rhetoric, I do think in the context of this being his lived experience and where he finds meaning, it makes sense. For the most part he does offer these examples as just that—offerings, and it’s possible that some of the parts that rubbed me the wrong way were part personal qualms with religion and another part loss of tone from translating a live performance into a book.
All of that to say, I resonated with a lot of what Scott has to say, and had several takeaways.
Connection to desire is important.
Shame kills.
Death is a confrontation.
When faced with the impossible question of how to show up when it all feels hopeless and you feel worthless, questions based on these 3 takeaways can help shift and reframe:
What in my life do I need to confront?
What am I ashamed of?
Where am I disconnected from desire?
Ultimately, when I’m feeling stuck, where in my life can I start moving so I can find myself in a place where I am safe to connect, be vulnerable, and desire.
Thank you, Scott.
Although I personally got distracted by the frequency of Christian rhetoric, I do think in the context of this being his lived experience and where he finds meaning, it makes sense. For the most part he does offer these examples as just that—offerings, and it’s possible that some of the parts that rubbed me the wrong way were part personal qualms with religion and another part loss of tone from translating a live performance into a book.
All of that to say, I resonated with a lot of what Scott has to say, and had several takeaways.
Connection to desire is important.
Shame kills.
Death is a confrontation.
When faced with the impossible question of how to show up when it all feels hopeless and you feel worthless, questions based on these 3 takeaways can help shift and reframe:
What in my life do I need to confront?
What am I ashamed of?
Where am I disconnected from desire?
Ultimately, when I’m feeling stuck, where in my life can I start moving so I can find myself in a place where I am safe to connect, be vulnerable, and desire.
Thank you, Scott.
August 16, 2023
Love the way Erickson writes. It feels more like a conversation, sprinkled with moving images. Encouraging and powerful. Would recommend to anyone who isn't exactly where they thought they would be in life.
December 11, 2022
Hmmm. Yeah, ok.
I liked it. It did the job that the author intended. If I was a highlighting kind of person, there would’ve been a *lot* of chunks highlighted for me to return to. The author is a public speaker and he rightly says the book is his public performance of ‘say yes’ in text form. I think *for me* this made it a bit of a ‘wade’ in the end (which is why I kept putting it down for periods of time before returning). Simply the writing style. I found I had to really concentrate to take it all in- but- that’s obviously just my opinion.
Please try it. It could be a really big help to you.
I liked it. It did the job that the author intended. If I was a highlighting kind of person, there would’ve been a *lot* of chunks highlighted for me to return to. The author is a public speaker and he rightly says the book is his public performance of ‘say yes’ in text form. I think *for me* this made it a bit of a ‘wade’ in the end (which is why I kept putting it down for periods of time before returning). Simply the writing style. I found I had to really concentrate to take it all in- but- that’s obviously just my opinion.
Please try it. It could be a really big help to you.
December 29, 2022
What is the point of this book? When will this book end? Is this supposed to be a Christian book? Would I want to talk to this guy if I ever met him or would I think he was completely weird? These are all of the questions that I asked myself while reading Say Yes. I can't remember which "best books" list I got this from, but I hope I don't read another book from that list again. Erickson's thoughts seemed unorganized. He didn't really seem to take a stance on anything. Mix in some liberal, new-age theology and politics and then you have your book. Just say "No" to Say Yes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews