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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

A no is just as holy as a yes.................

Many years ago when I was recruiting folks to do volunteer work, I had a very hard lesson to learn. There were going to be a whole lot of no's to the requests that I posted to folks. And if I was going to be a successful volunteer coordinator, I had to market my event well and then be prepared for letting the person's heart answer the question.

I worked with other volunteer coordinators and saw many take the no's they got as either personal  slight or as a challenge to them to get the person to change their mind and say yes. The older woman I worked most closely with had been in her position as director for many, many years. She was laid back, easy going and made sure that each one of her staff knew two things......1. that they could get the events staffed and 2. that a no was as holy as a yes.

In other words, allowing the person you're asking the question to be honored even if they aren't giving you the answer you want. That lesson has served me well, lo all these years later. I can't take a negative as a personal attact nor do I have to make the other person feel bad if they can't complete a task. Life gets in the way and that is all there is to it.

Nowadays, I have been asked to do things that I either couldn't or chose not to do and I have given my holy no. It is interesting to see how others digest that answer. And I think it tells a lot about someone's self confidence in the way they deal with the no. I also have been afforded the opportunity to receive some no's and I hope I have lived up to Ms. Upton's benchmark when I say, thank you for telling me your truth maybe next time we'll get to work together.

So the next time someone says no to something you offer to them, be blessed by the fact they even considered whatever opportunity you are offered them. And take the answer whether in the negative or affirmative as how they need, want or have to respond. It makes sharing the planet with others, oh so much easier to handle.

I worked on this very issue last night at the dark of the moon. Someone I care for asked me to help. And now I have growth to the full moon to count on as the instrument to help make this so for someone else.......but they must want it as well.

14 comments:

  1. Wise as ever dear Oma! I've been having to build up to saying no to people, it's funny how much confidence you need to do that, to believe that the world will not end if you say no, and you just have to trust that the receiver of this news has not now written you off forever, never to ask you for anything again, whilst telling no-one else to ask you either!

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  2. I will tell people who are on the receiving end of my request or intended gift that it is OK to say no. If they hesitate, when they want to say no but don't want to hurt my feelings or something.

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  3. Fine post. I can relate to this having done a great deal of volunteer coordinating myself back when my kids were in school. It wasn't the "no"s that bothered me, nor was it the lack of response (to mailed requests for help) it was those who said "yes" but really meant "no." The no-shows. It's very important to be able to say "no".. kindly, of course and far better than saying what you think the other wants to hear instead.

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  4. Great post! And I agree with Hilary. It's the people who said "yes" when they really meant "no" that always irked me!

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  5. I have a rule of thumb: "Don´t ask if you can´t handle a "no".

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  6. I think we women have a harder time saying "no" than men do because we're expected to be non stop givers. So here's to honoring ourselves and others with our holy "no"

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  7. You are a wise woman my dear friend, but I knew that already.
    I agree with Hilary that it is far worse when someone says yes and then lets you down when you're counting on them. It has always been difficult for me to say no when someone asks but as I grow older it has become easier. S&S

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  8. Very wise words Oma Linda! Thank you! I have never looked at this type of situation like this before!

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  9. I am in that situation today where I may have to go it alone on a rather challenging project (challenging physically). My ten volunteers have either not replied or replied with a "No." and life does get in the way. But, you have given me some good advice and congrats on your POTW.

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  10. so true...a no means a yes somewhere else...and it is always good to consider what is most important in our lives...we can dillute that with too many yes'

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  11. A "holy no." Wonderful.
    Several years ago I heard for the first time, "'No' is a complete sentence." Accepting that was freeing. I need to remind myself often, however, so as not to start accumulating crumbs that turn into Chinese walls of resentment.
    Congratulations on your POTW.

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  12. What a concept?? And food for thought.

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  13. Seems the first words we speak after mama and daddy is no...we speak it thoughtlessly when we are children, selfishly when we are teenagers and tearfully when we are in our twilight years...but still, no is as important as yes, you have stated it well, Oma...congrats on Post of the Week
    Sandi

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  14. A funny thing about volunteering and always saying yes when you really do need to say no....you will burn out and then the cause you are helping will hurt. A heartfelt no will always help both the speaker and the receiver to learn. The speaker to use their voice, and the receiver to learn to respect other peoples boundaries.

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