November 20, 2025: The Honest No

The urge to please.

Many of us learned early on to be “good.” Good kids said yes to parents and teachers.

Somewhere along the way, pleasing everyone became a default setting, even when not always in our best interest.

Saying Yes is a beautiful and generous thing, at times.

But every Yes is a No to something else.

So, learn how to decline someone, politely and firmly. Without the guilt.

Above all, avoid the Maybe. It’s just a delayed No, like pulling off a band-aid slowly, while everyone watches in horror. Rip that thing away. It’s quicker, and folks can move on with their lives.

Accept this truth: sometimes you’ll disappoint others when their requests don’t line up with your priorities or purpose.

And you know what? You will survive.

So will they.