Saying "Yes"

Saying "Yes"
To say “yes,” you have to sweat and roll up your sleeves and plunge both hands into life up to the elbows. It is easy to say “no.”

— Jean Anouilh

Anger is a defensive emotion. It teaches us to “No it all,” denying our family, friends, and co-workers simple favors we could easily grant. All too often we say “no” automatically, it is our default response.

This doesn’t have to be. We can learn to say “yes.” Learning to say yes affirms our connection to others, affirms our positive intent, and helps us avoid slipping into anger automatically.

Each day find a situation in which you can say “yes” without violating your own boundaries, without being submissive, without losing integrity. Practice saying “yes” with a passion for life and compassion for others. The results of this simple exercise may surprise you as you find your relationships improving as well as your mood and your feelings about yourself.

John Elder, M.A., MFT