Learning to Say NO

We either say YES or NO when a friend or a loved one asks something (a favor, personal belongings, material things, etc.). We would like to say NO and then it turned out YES. We are so concerned that turning them down would ruin their day, or make them sad, or offend them in a way. But what about us? Don’t we have priorities to make, too? Don’t we have concerns that need more our attention? Don’t we have budgets to trim? Don’t we have appointments to think about, too?

Oftentimes, we try to please others at our expense. We cannot afford to displease those that we love or those that are special to us. It always leads to the neglect of us. It can be gallant of us to think of others before ourselves but sometimes it also leads to abuse or neglect.

A lot of these kind people are taken for granted. Perhaps because they are thought of as understanding (ready to understand any misgiving any time?), or thought of as a person who never declines. Most often than not, they are used to satisfy the whims of those uncaring and selfish people who thrives at the helplessness of others.

I wonder what wakeup call can wake these helpless people who just thinks unselfishly of trying to please a friend, a special someone or a loved one. I wonder what amount of strength they need to be able to say NO once in a while. I wonder what reason could be acceptable for them to realize that we can never always say YES even if we mean NO.