When we decide to change our reactions to other people...and we decide to temper our egos…for the better...then the past will be left in the past. 

When we decide to change the way we react to other people…for the better…we are doing it with the present and for the future. We must leave the past in the past. We must get present. Also, we must maintain images of a better future in our minds.

When we decide to improve our dealings with other people, we illustrate we have learned from past experiences. And, we open our minds to obtain even-more-important education, which lies in the present and then in the future.

We believe our past experiences provide guidance about future outcomes – we believe, to a degree, in ‘cause and effect’. But we know it is limiting to rely too heavily on the past as a definite predictor of the future.

We know - far more people agonize over the past than learn positive things from it. Somehow, rumination is a magnetic trap. So, it's best to think about our steps before we walk them.

We know – it can be a challenge to get present. As wise men have taught us, thoughts come in streams of consciousness and, often, many of those thoughts are negative and attention-distracting.

We know – it is easy to worry about things and difficult if not impossible to predict things…especially future things.  Regardless, where our egos have landed safely and comfortably we hold faith our actions will cause the building of stronger relationships.

You have your world. It surrounds you. It consumes you.

You have needs and wants. Your ego makes its demands. You work away at satisfying those needs and wants.

But - What are you committed to deliver to your world? 

Maybe you think about this a lot or maybe you don't think about it at all. 

Yet - isn't now a good time to think about what are you committed to deliver to your world?  Certainly, now is a better time than waiting until tomorrow. 

Regardless, whether you agree the timing is right or not, you may choose to spend no time thinking about what you are committed to deliver to your world. If that's your choice then that's your limiting choice. It limits you. It limits your world.

Again - What are you committed to deliver to your world? 

We became allergic to the word "No" when we were young and now all of us don't like to hear that word when others say it to us. And, our aversion to the word "No" doesn't stop there. Many of us, at least from time to time, don't like to say the word "No" to others. Often, when we say "No" to other people, we feel guilt...it's as if the word "No" delivers pain to both the person who hears it and the person who says it.

So – often, “No” is thought but not said.

This leads to many problems.

Some examples – 

When people think “No” but don’t say it: 

• they are conflicted in their minds and this can result in worry-anxiety – this is especially true when the inconsistency between thought and action involve moral/ethical issues [i.e., in the zones of ego, self-image, self-esteem]
• they can be overworked because they become the dumping ground for others’ unwanted tasks
• their lives can be frenetic because they get pulled in many directions by many people
• sometimes others are confused or put off because the actions they see don’t match words they hear [or don’t hear] - sometimes honesty is questions [and that can go to the core of personal values]
• sometimes others might be compromised due to relying on false information

These are just a handful of the problems that happen when people have trouble saying “no” to others. Likely, you can rhyme off several more…from your personal experiences and your observation of other people who have struggled to say the word “No”. 

Then, pose a question to yourself – 

In the future, will I say “No” when that’s the word that needs to be said?

Footnote 

another article

Put your foot down...