I would rather choose a few things in life to really devote myself to instead of biting off more than I can chew and disappointing others in the process by me not following through with the committment(s).

This topic reminds me of the post you had recently about limiting kid’s activities. Those similar feelings of not over scheduling a child totally apply to adults, too.

Loved:
“The choice to live simply isn’t one of denial or exclusion, but rather one of being sincere in all of your actions.”

If only…we could get our friends and family and co-workers onboard for this.

I fear we all, at times, say “Yes” when we really mean “no” because saying “no” in a lot of situations causes more grief (at the outset) on so many levels (especially relationships)than we can handle/deal with. (Especially with close friends and family, where, in theory, we should be able to be the most honest.)

But in the long run, you show true honor and respect for others and yourself by NOT doing what you do not wish to do and only committing your time and energy to what you want to do. We’d have far less problems in business and socially if people did not say they’d do something, when they really knew they would not or could not. (Think about where your real anger lies when someone does not come through as promised. Would you have been as angry if they just said NO upfront? Probably not. Because you depended on someone and they didn’t come through. Now you are truly angry and disappointed.)

Is it painful? On occasion. Because saying no to others is pretty much acknowledging that, no, this does not matter to use as it does to them.

Keep it simple and sincere. Love it.

- Laura