The Practice of Refusal
The word 'no' often comes with such negative connotation, why is that?
The dreaded two letter word can seem daunting. You might be scared to ask a question due to the fear of being told 'no'. This word can bring rejection, humiliation, pain, sadness, maybe even motivation as you persist until you heard the word 'yes'.
For generations, parents have raised their children to always say 'yes' and scold them when they say 'no'. I have seen it with my own eyes. For example, I used to be a people pleaser when I was younger because I found it so difficult to say no. As a result of this, my kindness was taken advantage of and often left me dry with not a single ounce of kindness to give myself. Eventually, I grew tired of this and realized I needed my power back, so I taught myself to say the word no through small daily affirmations so many times until it became natural to me.
You might be thinking I'm a bit selfish for wanting to get better at saying 'no', but let me set things straight. When I talk about saying 'no', I mean dealing with my everyday inner battles.
Say 'no' to your intrusive thoughts when they tell you to give up on your dreams. Say 'no' to your fears when they tell you that you are not strong enough to overcome your goals. Say 'no' to your desires when they tell you to give in to satisfaction. Say 'no', 'no', 'no', and 'no' again to that little voice in your head trying to bring you back down. Just remember, a part of you may not want to succeed because it takes consistency, dedication, and inevitably involves some sort of suffering. It is so easy to say 'yes' and cave in to your unhealthy habits. So what path are you going to take?
The power of saying 'no' extends beyond mere refusal; it is an act of self love and self-preservation. Through practice, you can reclaim your autonomy, redefine your boundaries, and nurture your growth. So, embrace the liberating ability of saying 'no', find courage in the process, and witness how it transforms your life for the better. Remember, it's okay to say 'no' when you need to; you are worth it.
