PREPARE YOUR EYES TO READ AND YOUR HEART TO RECEIVE AS YOU TAKE IN THE WORDS THAT LOOK TO CHANGE LIVES, RENEW HEARTS, AND OPEN MINDS. People don’t like the response of no, and others don’t want to say no. The mere suggestion of the word symbolizes rejection, refusal, denial, or dissent, which all add to a negative connotation. Why is that? Have you ever considered that it could be positive as well? When we say no, on most occasions, we establish boundaries by providing an audible expression to someone, informing them that we disagree. Being told no to a request is not necessarily a rejection of you as a person but more of the other person’s unwillingness to fulfill your request. Let’s look at the other side of the coin when you had to tell someone no. How did having that responsibility make you feel? Did you know that some people have a problem with saying no? A yes is often given to avoid arguments, conflicts, guilt, and resentment, and often not to disappoint or hurt someone’s feelings. Always answering everything with a yes is just as harmful to that person as the other person hearing the word no. Trying to please everyone so that they will not be mad or your avoidance to not be in an uncomfortable situation will deplete you mentally, physically, and emotionally. Taking on others’ responsibility in any relationship is unhealthy for both parties. When you start taking on responsibilities for others because you believe you are responsible for controlling how they will react to you, saying no is considered an unhealthy relationship. There are many instances where saying no is more beneficial to everyone involved. It could be saying “no, to your child, that they can’t take the car out on a school night, or saying to your spouse, “no, it would be better if you cooked tonight vice going out,” or possibly telling a co-worker, “no I can’t help you finish your task because I have my tasks to finish.” Being told no and saying no in most cases is healthy and positive. In the book “Yes or No,” the author, Spencer Johnson, provides a road map to making better decisions. First, he mentions using your head to ask practical questions such as “am I thinking this through, or am I meeting the real need?” Then consult your heart to ask yourself, “does my decision show that I am honest with myself, trust my intuition, and deserve better?” If you reviewed your previous decisions, you and I would agree that we have made some poor decisions in our lives. Hindsight is always 20/20, and we can sit and play the blame game by criticizing ourselves or learn to forge ahead and use this road map to become better decision-makers. Which are you going to choose? Make today the day you realize that saying no is not always negative, and you shouldn’t be uncomfortable verbally expressing yourself by setting your boundaries and living with intention. After reading this, hopefully, you will be more confident, decisive, and happier with your choices, and more people will begin to use the phrase, “I WAS TOLD NO.” #SPEAK2MYHEART
