THE POWER OF “NO”
Ever since my son was born he has been teaching and re-teaching me all sorts of valuable lessons, and recently he reminded me of something that I think all of us need to remember: THE POWER OF THE WORD “NO”. For example, I ask him, “Do you want some juice?” He replies, “NO.”, it’s as easy as that, no hesitation, no remorse, just full commitment to the word. Such a simple word, “No” yet if used properly it can silence a crowd, stop a person dead in their tracks, and liberate anyone brave of enough to us it. We live in a “YES” world, big business thrives on “YES”, but in the long run we as consumers, as people and or health and wellbeing suffer. “YES” is easy, “yes” is why we are an (in every sense of the word) unhealthy nation and slowly becoming an unhealthy world. Yes feels good, but No, comes with a cost, a different kind of responsibility than “yes”, and a different kind of sacrifice. My son isn’t afraid to say “No” he just knows what HE wants and he isn’t afraid to reject any offers from dad, or of hurting someone’s feelings, just because he’s being true to himself.
Today, try to use the word “no” in your life. Try to stand up for yourself and say “no”. When you want to go have another burger or purchase another item that really serves no purpose in your life, say “no”. When you’re being mistreated, either by your own actions or by the actions of others, say ‘no’. Just say “No”. “No” could change your life; it could change the world.
Here are some ways you could use the word “NO” in your life.
1. “Would you like to supersize that?” (A) NO
2. “Would you like to buy a second TV for 30% off?” (A) NO (how many TV’s do you need.
3. It’s a Thursday, you have a big day at work tomorrow and your friends ask, “hey, lets go out and have some drinks tonight”, you went out last Thursday, felt like hell the next day, you have no control over your alcohol consumption, but you love going out. You want to say “Yes”, but the (A) “NO”
Great article Jessie.. it truly is a daily effort to keep all levels of consumption in check.. we can learn so much from our kids if we stop, breath and take a moment. As you say to remaining true to ourselves, our own goals and being the best that we can be, is often going to mean saying no.
I’m an aussie follower, we dont hear or see really anything about you down here, which is our (tragic) loss..(so can you hussle a little more and get famous here too please! ;D ) but as I am a trainer and massage therapist and obssessed with health, fitness and wholistic wellbeing, I have discovered you in that quest… keep the articles coming.. your depth and insight are inspiring.