NO is the New YES



For most of my life I've been a "yes" person. I don't know if that makes me a people-pleaser, kind-hearted, or just plain silly, but those have been the ABCs of me.

Up until my 40th bday.

It was then that I had some things going on in life that took all of my time, making it impossible for me to say "yes" to the things I would usually say "yes" to.

Now, at first I felt horrible saying "no" to these things.

I even felt kind of guilty about it.

You see . . .

I like helping in the classroom.

I like filling in for a friend at work.

I like speaking at adoption panels.

And I like church activities.

BUT . . .

saying NO was also super LIBERATING. (Smile.)

You see, saying NO actually gave me this kind of freedom that I have never felt before.

There was even a kind of relief. (I'm so-not kidding.)

And . . .

saying NO also gave me some much-needed time to refocus my attention on my family and myself. (I think sometimes you/me/we can "lose ourselves" and our focus/peace by trying to please everyone. And that's no good for ANYONE.)

So yes, I'm ridonk-u-lous, but I can't begin to tell you how much I have learned by simply learning to say NO. (Because when you say NO to one thing, it means you've said YES to something else. Get it?)

So, go ahead, say NO to something today. (Tee hee.)

(And please know--I'm not saying that I'm a NO person now. I'm just saying, I'm less of a  people-pleaser now. I don't say YES because I feel guilty when I don't. I say YES when I truly can/should/want to do things.)


No is the new yes, baby.

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