Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Balance


--by Mish, posted Sep 6, 2019
❤️ Kindness for Self....Learning to Say No Even When It’s Not Easy...

I find it hard to say no to our neighbors when they ask us to do something for them, when they are going to be away from home for an extended time , even if what they are asking us to assume responsibility for causes me anxiety & stress.

I find it hard to say no, because we know one another for a very long time and they are wonderful people.

Today I decided I just had to stop struggling mentally over the latest favor one of our neighbors asked of us &, although it was really difficult for me, say sorry but I can’t assume this responsibility, as it’s just too much for me. Whew! It was liberating! They were very understanding about it & gracious.

Then I found this blog, “Learning to Say No Even When Its Not Easy (link below) which brought me peace. Sharing it here for others who may also sometimes find it hard to “say no”.

I think it just comes down to “self-care”.

Some excerpts from blog:

He who trim himself to suit everyone else will soon whittle himself away.” – Unknown

“Saying NO means you know your limits.” – Unknown

“Let today mark a new beginning for you. Give yourself permission to say NO without feeling guilty , mean, or selfish, Anybody who gets upset and/or expects you to say YES all of the time clearly doesn’t have your best interest at heart, Always remember: You have a right to say NO without having to explain yourself, Be at peace with your decisions.” – Stephanie Lahart

“You have to learn to say no without feeling guilty, setting boundaries is healthy. You need to learn to respect and take care of yourself.” – Unknown

“Learn the art of saying no. Don’t lie. Don’t make excuses, don’t over-explain yourself. Just simply decline.” – Unknown

https://everydaypower.com/say-no-quotes/


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Readers Comments

lindariebel wrote: This reminds me of the very first encounter group i led -- 1976! I called it "the right to say no" and it went pretty well for a beginning leader. I also encouraged my (later) therapy clients to practice saying no. It's so important to have that self-respect and freedom!
mindyjourney wrote: Learned this a little while ago when I committed to a laddership project that I wasn’t able to contribute my best. Best to not even accept if you feel that doubt....
gardengal10 wrote: I think it's important that we realize that we can give ourselves PERMISSION to say no.
petroskryf wrote: Thank you for the share of wisdom, Mish. I learned too how important it is to say no when necessary. It is indeed liberating. 💞
pluto178 wrote: I learnt to say NO when i was a cub scout leader and taught the children about the just say no campaign.......i was a cub scout leader because I did not know how to say NO.........I soon learned here i was three children a house to look after a full time job and the mothers at home all day did not offer.....ask a busy person and they will get the job done is a cop out.... each of us should do our share......to volunteer is different to being out upon just because you don’t know how to say NO.... so ia guess I was lucky to learn through teaching lol. X
DotMatrix wrote: Saying no really is a kindness to ourselves. Some are better at it than others. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and what helped you overcome mental hardship.
♥.
kjoyw wrote: Oh, my! Haven’t we all done this?!? But once you feel that relief of actually saying NO, it begins to get easier. I always try and and to remember that sometimes, too, saying No helps me to then say Yes to myself. Good feeling!

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