Your “no” will not always be received or respected. It may even be shocking, particularly if you have a reputation for being nice, passive, gullible, or agreeable.
Your “no” will reveal the true nature of your relationships. It will determine whether you, your time, effort, well being, beliefs, principles, finances, resources, or feelings matter or not.
Your “no” will prompt some to demonize, question, slander, ostracize, criticize, be angry with, punish, or try to manipulate you.
Your “no” just may be the key to your freedom from those who have never meant you any good; from those content with abusing you; from those who think they own you, or think that you owe them.
Your “no” is liberating. Say “no”. See what happens. Note whether you’re extended understanding or doused with anger. Steady yourself if anger comes. It is a way of escape from shady folk; a way to purge your life of unnecessary drama. Just remember, whatever power people think they have to affect your life, livelihood, or emotions is measured by the degree of authority you’ve bestowed upon them. Take everyone off of those pedestals. (We really DO teach people how to treat us.)
Take that power back. Stop magnifying people and magnify God. Anything anyone boasts they’ve given to, or done for you that gives them some perceived leverage against your right to say “no”, isn’t worth having.
Be thankful. Be appreciative. Don’t be a fool. Stop wearing yourself out for those who have made sport of sending unsuspecting people on guilt trips.
Free yourself from the unfair, unreasonable, and arrogant expectations of others. Free yourself from those who cheat and shortchange you, but color their deception as if they’re doing you a favor for which you are supposed to forever be grateful. Get off of their merry-go-round. You will always disembark dizzy and in the red.
Stop thinking you have to mitigate the anger of those who expect so much but give so little. Anyone who is mad because you won’t allow them to use you, IS mad.
Respect the boundaries you set. You don’t ever HAVE to do ANYTHING. You ALWAYS have a choice.
There are people who will do right by you. They exist. My hope and prayer is that you meet them—sooner than later.
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