On Saying 'NO"

Saying ‘No’ is perhaps the most difficult thing for most of us. We have been taught from our childhood that it is impolite to say ‘ no’ but no one ever tells us the merit of this magical word. As we grow, the expectations from elders at home, the friends at school and teachers and from everyone we come across keep increasing. Thus the pressure of performance with mounting expectations and learning never to say ‘No’ makes us beasts of burden.

Once in the college the situation is no different except that with lesser controls the world around us becomes more care free! One also learns to evade, things not to liking, be it lectures at college , sermons at home, or an irritated friend. We bunk classes of teachers who are boring, shut off mentally when elders are on a mission to make us better human beings.

When one starts working, no one likes to hear a ‘No’ as it is construed as the lack of interest or not enough capacity to handle work. When, I served in the Navy, any ‘No’ meant an act of indiscipline with immediate consequences. I remember the ones who sulked or tried to show defiance at the academy were awarded punishments like extra drills, excuse of liberty( meaning no outing in the town on the weekend), and more innovative ways of harassment. At later stages, any ‘No’ meant a shorter stint at the station with a threat of transfer looming large.

Having been lucky to work in the corporate world , the life took a complete U- turn. In most of the meetings the more defiant one was, the lesser burden would be borne, and the meek ones found most of the action points recorded against their names in the  ‘Minutes of the Meeting’. A dialogue where the participants were on the collision course always produced the best solutions. Also, the advantage of saying a short ‘No’ to the boss who was keen to load your straining back, led to another guinea pig would be found. This however, is the best course of action after realistically assessing the situation, as overkill could be detrimental in long run. When saying a ‘No’ can bring happiness, a better work life balance and keeping stress at bay, it is perhaps the best thing. Sometimes saying ‘No’ for the sake of purse is very helpful, especially when someone is asking for money. It is equally true when someone wants a slice of your time when your back  is against the wall, a simple ‘No’ can save a lot of agony. The list could be endless, when a ‘No Thank You’, ‘Not Now, ‘Not this way’, ‘Not Again’ are some phrases that come in very handy.

“We must say "no" to what, in our heart, we don't want. We must say "no" to doing things out of obligation, thereby cheating those important to us of the purest expression of our love. We must say "no" to treating ourselves, our health, our needs as not as important as someone else's. We must say “no.” 
-Suzette Hinton

PS: Image Kind Courtesy Google