Monday, September 5, 2011

The Power of No!

I was attempting to get ready for church and like every Sunday, I was having trouble deciding what to wear. If you know me, you find that hard to believe. I am an admitted clothes hog. Is there a 12 step program for my addiction? Moving on...

As I rifled through the racks, finding clothes I'd forgotten I'd purchased...clothes that I had not even worn...some I've grown tired of... and some I've outgrown. As I tried on the third outfit and fourth pair of shoes...don't ask...I finally asked myself, is this necessary?

At that very moment I looked around the room, that has become my closet and realized, that this room was a reflection of what was happening in my life.
Outgrown, over flowing, overstuffed, disorganized, misused, unnecessary...

I didn't need 12 steps to understand that having more shoes than Emelda Marcos is not necessary. My life had become stuffed. My day job, my night job, my community commitments were causing me to OVER COMMIT...and that caused me stress. Quite frankly I grew weary and like my outdated clothing, I realized that some things are just NOT necessary.

It's not necessary for me to have such an abundance of clothing that I can't remember buying them. It's not necessary to say yes to every request. Requests to attend every birthday party, cookout, fashion show, seminar, bridal shower, wedding, graduation, meeting and house warming. Requests for loans, which turn into gifts because that loan is never repaid. Requests for help. Yes, I said it! I had to realize that I don't know everything. I can't do everything... and I don't have enough money, time or strength for all the people who ask for something. As my Pastor says, "I ain't all that!".

Now my epiphany about what is not necessary in my life has nothing to do with you. It has everything to do with me...and I'm glad about it!

I've learned to say NO! Ahhh yes, the power of NO! You see since I've said no to you, I've found new passions. Saying no to you keeps me stress free. I don't have to send your calls to voicemail. Saying no to you has cleared my schedule! Saying no to you has taken away sleepless nights. Saying no to you has helped me find the time and money I thought I didn't have. Saying no to you has shown me what is necessary....ME!