Recently, I wrote a post on Saying No and yet I’ve been finding myself saying yes far too often lately. Yes is a good thing if it brings good into your life, but how do you know when enough is enough? How do you know when some of your yeses need to turn into nos? Not because what you are saying no to is not a wonderful offer, but because there is only so much of you to go around.
Saying no is hard for some because it can be viewed as negative, but sometimes saying NO to others is really saying YES to yourself even when on the surface you appear to be saying no to what you want. It’s starting to sound so convoluted and confusing.
I know what I mean, but do you? Here’s what’s going on, I’m spreading myself to thin. Why? Because I have this fear of scarcity. I am afraid that if I say no to something, if I let someone else have it, then I may never get anything again and that is simply ludicrous, stingy, and small-minded.
I may not be willing to give away all things (yet), but I have to be willing to give away some. It’s for my own good and it will benefit others too. The truth is that there will always be more opportunities on the way.
There is only one scarcity…
I only have so much time and I guess that will be the one thing I will allow myself to be stingy with.
So I know enough is enough when I find myself feeling stressed and pressed for time. How do you know when enough is enough?
And now your Friday Fortune Cookie
(don’t forget to add “in bed” at the end, if you are so inclined):
Don’t be afraid to be picky.
Hosted by Mrs. 4444
Such a hard thing. I am learning to say “no.” At least I pretend I’m learning to say “no!”
At the age of 67, I’m acutely aware of the scarcity of time….I feel like it’s running out far too quickly!
I think the value of time becomes more apparent to us as we get older. You are very wise to be thinking about the value of yours at a young age.
I like that “saying yes to yourself.”
I’m sure glad your fortune cookie didn’t read “just say no”. Yes and no choices are frustrating but having no choice is devastating.
Look at you being all wise and stuff. Love this insight, so spot on.
Occasional a few synapses fire off with insight instead of within sight.
I feel stressed must of the time because I don’t know how to relax!! At least we are conscious of the fact. Sigh.
The worst is when I’m so tired at night, but I can’t get my brain to relax. Not good.
I don’t think anyone has the answer to “when is enough, enough?”. The most important thing is to keep seeking that balance!
Just when I think I’ve achieved balance, I throw myself off again.
Great post. I think my problem is that I am so picky and concerned about time that I actually waste time passing up a good opportunity or thinking too much.
I am terrible at saying no too. I just volunteered to help out someone today at work even though I am supposed to be on sabbatical. I agreed to teach a summer course just because I thought it would be a great opportunity for the students…
Oh, you are officially worse than I am!
When it’s not fun, I’m done. I just said no to working the concessions the stadium this year; the new concession managing company is requiring all volunteers to attend a 4-hour training. NO.
I’m pretty good at saying no actually. I have a cut off point and then say nope that’s it. If I spread myself too thinly I do everything badly anyway. But it takes a while to get to this point I think. I can suffer from depression, and if I get overloaded with stuff I cant handle it all either. You have to learn to look after yourself too. 🙂
I don’t know how I missed this last week! Saying no has been a problem for me all my life and has gotten me into a lot of stuff I really didn’t want to do, so didn’t put my heart into and everyone involved may have ended up wishing I’d say no! I’m working hard on it this year!!!