The word ‘No’ has a bad rap. We think it’s negative, restricting, doesn’t leave room for possibilities. But have you ever seen a small child stamp his foot and shout “NO!”. There’s no doubt there, he is irrefutably stating what he does NOT want, and by doing so makes room for what he does.
How many times have you found yourself in a situation where you are asked to, or feel obligated to do something, and instead of saying no, you just….say nothing. Consider that saying nothing leaves strings hanging, strings that suck your energy in a subconscious way. What would it feel like to….oh that scary word….commit?
WHEN YOU SAY NO, WHAT ARE YOU REALLY SAYING YES TO? WHEN YOU DON’T SAY ANYTHING, WHAT ARE YOU GIVING IN TO?
Commitment can be that thing we keep putting off. Maybe we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings, perhaps there is an insidious ‘I can’t’ beneath the indecision. Perhaps we feel overwhelmed. We can’t say yes, but we don’t say no.
Consider that all these reasons are really just smokescreens for something that keeps us from taking a stand for victory over resignation and cynicism. Dig a bit deeper and you might just find the keys to freedom. [PAUSE. Now read that sentence again.]
Give it a try. Next time you need to make a choice about something, and you don’t get an immediate yes, say no, and watch what happens. What are the emotions and feelings that come up? What fears arise? Are you forthright with your no, or do you say it with a bunch of excuses, defenses and beating around the bush?
There’s no right or wrong here, it’s an exercise for self-knowledge. Have fun and expect surprises!
katmlui 