The Gift of Experience: Hope Prevails

Saying "No" When That's What You Mean

Remember that Jim Carrey movie called "Yes Man?" In it, his character is a boring, lethargic man who says "no" to every invitation and spends the majority of his time alone until a friend convinces him to attend a conference where the only answer that is acceptable is "yes." He begins to say yes to everything, then trouble ensues. A hilarious movie with a good moral. Let's talk about saying "yes" to everything.

I am guilty as charged. In my quest to be liked by others, to be accepted if you will, I am in the habit of saying "yes" to every request for my help, no matter that I don't have the time or energy to get things done for myself. My dishes pile up and maintenance gives me a sour look when they come by to fix something and meanwhile I think I'm being a good servant. But that is not the way I should be.

I have just recently (two days ago, in fact) realized that a particular person has been taking advantage of me for years and has never even once done anything for me. I needed her help with something (that was within her means to do) and she refused to help me. Then she called the next day to ask for my help again. I said I would, hung up the phone, then got to thinking about it. NO. "No is what I mean, and no is what I am going to say," I said to myself. It was difficult to say, because I am not used to it, but I imagine it will become easier when I have more time and energy to say "yes" to things that will benefit myself, my health and my home.