The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word "no" to mean; "used to give a negative answer or reply to a question, request, or offer."
No. A two letter word, that most people know how to say, but don't know when to say it. Saying no can be the hardest thing to some people such as myself. In the world, there are two types of people. Those who know the meaning of the word and those who know of the word. No isn't phonetically the hardest word of the English language, but realizing when you need to say it sometimes is extremely difficult.
I am, well, I can be both of the two types of people mentioned previously. I know what the word means, it is just a matter of knowing when I need to say it. "Helpful" is a personality trait and sometimes is the best adjective to describe one person. Helpful is a word that gets used to describe me often. I am not a gloating person, but I do enjoy helping people. I am a people pleaser also, so that plays a part in the "helping" people part of my personality.
Saying no is something that takes skill, accuracy, determination, and self discipline. To learn to say the word no is probably one of the harder things I have done in my short 20 years. You see, I am a person that thinks I can handle anything and everything, and even though it feels like I can at times, it is not all the time. I am not a person that handles disappointing people well. I freak out, it's not good.
So, here is where I am able to tell myself this in a few short, uplifting sentences. People will be amazed when you tell them how much you do, really, they will. They will understand when some things fall short because of how involved you are, only for a time or two though, then it becomes a problem. Saying no is like having a portioned plate, and portioned plates are for food control. So things don't mix together. Don't let all of your tasks and involvements mix and mingle together, because once you have too much, it isn't impressive anymore, it looks a little bad to be honest.
Saying no isn't a permanent action either. You can say it for that period in time and come back to whatever it is later. Being strong enough to know when you have enough on your personal portioned plate is a quality that is cherished by many. Knowing when you are doing your part, and you're doing it well, it isn't frowned upon. To accept an opportunity and executing it poorly and inefficiently, is. To turn down an opportunity for the moment because of self awareness, that is respect to the highest degree, especially in my book, and I am certain it is for many others as well.
You can't save the world in one fell swoop. You have to save it one step at a time. You can't be super if you don't have the power to be. Everyone has the power to change something and everyone has the power to save someone or something, just not everything at the same time.
Everyone has the power, and the right, to say now. Be your own superhero, and use your voice to say what you mean.
