How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals?

I have learnt to say No from saying Yes.

From crouching fetal-like in self-betrayal.

Many times that happened until,

by the Grace of God,

the connection, the pattern became visible.

Yes, it was my yes, that never should have been,

that created feeling uncomfortable and unclean.

I practised at first in front of a mirror

and marched militarily repeating ‘No’ over and over.

I still failed, stuttering a ‘Yes’ to avoid others’ discomfort.

Good advice fermented: Say no without excuse or explanation!

Then no’s grew in number, so too my goals.

My relationship, creativity, passion blossomed.

And the yes I owed to those vulnerable in my life

became a privilege not a chore.

“let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one”

Matthew 5:37

Today is the Feast of the Annunciation. Christians celebrate the appearance of Archangel Gabriel, messenger of God, to the Virgin Mary. Archangel Gabriel announces that Mary is chosen to conceive Jesus by the Holy Ghost. Mary gives her “fiat”, her yes to God. She could have said no. Mary, made in the image of God has total free will. We may never have anything like this experience but we share with Mary that we are not automatons. We must exercise choice and free will to fulfil our purposes and our goals. No matter how scary saying no or yes can be.