“No” is one of the first words a child learns. It’s a most powerful word, as the child quickly learns, and it is the word that the child uses to begin individuation from the parents. The child expresses his or her difference from the parent by saying no, even when yes would make him or her happier.
But as we grow up, we learn to say yes to activities and people when we’d rather say no. Sometimes we are choosing to do something uncomfortable so that we will get stronger, like going to the gym, or to get smarter, like going to college. But many times we say yes so that the other person will like us, and then we get stuck doing something that we don’t want to do, that does not bring us joy, peace or even a better sense of community.
Learning to say no when it’s in your best interest can be the happiest experience. If you really don’t want to bake five dozen cookies for a bake sale, make a donation instead. If you really don’t have time for some activity that someone wants you to do, thank them and decline gracefully.
Learning to say no with peace is the most empowering experience. I am changing my eating habits. I’m not on a diet as such, but more like what Richard Simmons calls a “live-it.” I am choosing to eat healthier, and having some challenges with conflicting advice as to what exactly is healthy. Since I have some sensitivity to gluten and dairy, the foods I grew up eating are not good for me, macaroni and cheese for example. So I’m making changes in what I choose to eat, and in how I think about food.
No, thank you, I don’t eat cookies. No, thank you, I don’t put cheese or croutons on my salad. No thank you, I’ve had enough to eat. No, thank you, but you go ahead.
When I am able to say no with a smile, I feel strong and powerful. I feel in charge.
When I forget, or when I decide to break my rules, I feel defeated and weak.
Saying no to the old ways is my powerful way of becoming again, an individual in my own right. I’m like that two-year-old, but the parent that I am separating my self from is myself. I am saying yes to a new life by saying no to the old one.
Hello, Charlotte! Little children know the ways of the world. Too bad we lose it with age! Generally, women seem to have a more difficult time saying no than men. Perhaps because women are often expected to accommodate everyone around them all the time? Great post and something to think about!
Have a great week and happy A to Z!!
It does get easier to say no once we decide that we have the power. Kids get that power taken away early, and we have to learn how to reclaim it.
Happy A to Z Challenge to you as well!
I loved this post! I completely agree with you! I think NO is such a great word! I have learned the power of “let your yes be YES and your no be NO”. I only say YES to things I believe in and feel passionately about. I say no to everything else.
I haven’t applied that philosophy to food though – thank you for the reminder. I am going to start living that way today!
I’m still working on that one too…one day at a time. It seems to work best when I say “I don’t eat that.” It takes a lot of reminders though, and this weekend, I was not into being good to myself. Still, time to get back on the wagon just for today.
It is amazing how hard it becomes to use a two letter word, but it is so empowering when you do.
What sense of self you have when you can say that one little syllable and mean it. Thanks for visiting.