Today we ask that you cultivate the ability to say “No.”
All healthy people have the ability to say “No.”
The inability to say “No” is always a sign of insecurity and instability.
Saying “No” is like having a strong immune system. Being able to say “No” to things you don’t want means that you are good at protecting your energy.
So ask yourself: “Am I good at saying ‘No’?”
“Do I often feel overextended?”
“Do I agree to do things out of guilt or obligation?”
“Do I often do things I don’t really want to do?”
“Do I often feel like my space is being encroached upon or violated?”
If the answers are “Yes,” then you are someone who could benefit from saying “No” more often.
Of course, there are some people who say “No” too often, and thus close themselves off to healthy experiences. There are certain grumpy, irascible people who say “No” to everything.
But people who can’t say “No” are far more common. Such people are often concerned with being good, nice, and helpful, which is why they get overextended.
If you’re someone like this, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn how to say “No.”
Notice if you feel a lot of resistance to saying “No.”
You can imagine, in your mind, a scenario in which someone asks you to do something you don’t want to do, and you kindly but firmly say “No.”
Perhaps think about some situation in the past where you agreed to do something that in retrospect you probably shouldn’t have. Imagine what it would have been like to say “No.”
If you are someone who suffers from chronic fatigue, or a weak immune system, learning to say “No” may directly benefit your physical health.
Learning to say “No” is really quite magical.
And it truly won’t make you rude or unkind. If you can learn to say “No” from a strong, secure place, you will never be unkind to anyone (even if they say you are). In reality, saying “No” will make you a much better friend, parent, family member, and worker. It will make you a much stronger and more effective person.
wordfromthewell 