JUST SAY "NO!"

This article is taken from PDI, 3/23. Lifestyle Section, by Cory Quirino

"NO" is a spare and simple word that bears a powerful appeal simply because it so basic, so much used in our everyday language that we might have taken it for granted.


Here is a word that celebrates finality, an end to something that most certainly leads to another thing.

Over-committed

We live in an over-committed world filled with deadlines, quotas, goals, mission statements and self-fulfillment/gratification. Everyone has the "I must do/be/have" syndrome. And whether we are conscious or not, we are driven, compromised, and committed. There is no breathing space for the sane and the tranquil.

But there's hope. If we all learned to say no, then maybe life can be a little easier, our health a little stronger, our outlook a little perkier.

Say no, when . . .

The paragraphs in bold especially apply to yours truly! hehehe

• The scale shows you are 10 pounds beyond your ideal weight (i.e., if your usual 130 pounds is now 140 pounds, say no. Losing 10 pounds to get back on track is easier than shedding 30 pounds.)

• Your fridge is filled with sweets and desserts of varied flavors, shapes and sizes. Sugar not only contributes to weight problems but makes you vulnerable to illness.

• Your home, car, office and attache case have a handy bottle of your favorite alcoholic/soda drink. The best way to avoid temptation is to stay away from it. Moderation is the key to ensuring your pleasures do not become addictions.

• The people around you (family, friends, officemates) bombard you with negative energy all day/night. A way to find out is to check if you are mentally/emotionally exhausted when in the presence of someone. People with nothing nice to say about anything or anybody cannot contribute to your well-being; rather, they can cause ill health.

• You have been hot-tempered more than usual. Check yourself and do some serious soul searching why you are constantly angry. Remember, emotions have a biochemical effect on the body. Angry persons normally are prone to ulcers and heart disease/hypertension (high blood pressure).

• You have been out every night of the week and thoroughly in need of rest. Cut back on the late nights and take it easy.

• You have been sleepless or an insomniac for sometime now and don't know its cause. A deep-seated reason for your insomnia is locked away in your subconscious (unless you have a physical condition requiring medication whose side effect is restlessness).

• You depend on tranquilizers to be able to sleep. No matter how you look at it you have a drug dependency problem. Time to address your life issues.

• You look into the mirror and see an unhappy face staring back at you. Don't you think it's worth the time and effort to investigate the whys of your condition then do something about it? Didn't you know you have the right to be happy? It's your divine birthright.

• Your body aches and pains have been nagging you to go see a doctor. Stop procrastinating and make that important visit to your physician.

• Your food choices are sweet, salty, fatty/oily and plenty. When your food cravings are not healthy, it's time to say no and embrace a new lifestyle.

• Your plate is overloaded with food and you're only half-way through the "eat-all-you-can" buffet. A plateful of food is more than enough. No reason to grab another plate because you want your money's worth.

• You burped once and you're too stubborn to stop munching. Your stomach has a limit and your burp is the signal that there is no more space.

• You've been crying for the past four days over someone or something. Psychologists allow you to wallow in misery and self-pity for only 48 hours. After that, you have to snap out of it. Don't be the architect of your own misery. Life is much too precious to flood in tears.

• You find yourself neglected, exhausted and burnt-out. Start pampering yourself now. Time for yourself is precious.

'Yes' to yourself

Sit quietly in a corner and get a piece of paper. List down all the things you would like to say no to. Directly opposite list down the things you want to say yes to. Affirm: "I say no to welcome yes in my life. Yes to love, health, wealth and joy. And this is so."

Health tonic

Instead of a sandwich for snacks, have a handful of black grapes and a cup of fennel tea. The combination works as a liver tonic and cleanses you thoroughly. Make it a weekly habit.

MY YES-NO CHECKLIST

YES...
Keep my promises
Stay on my diet
Be a good girlfriend
Be a sensitive friend
Be hardworking and self-motivated
Save money
Read more books
Improve my skills/talents
Take the initiative in hunting for a job!
Act on solving problems and having a better life!

No...
No to junk food
No to eating out of cravings, esp. sweet stuff!
No to binge eating
No to being a B-I-T-C-H!
No to laziness--in working out and doing my daily face and body regimen
No to overspending
No to selfishness and the world-revolves-around-me mentality
No to 'there's still tomorrow'
No to disorganization and no planning
No to self-pity
No to tactlessness
No to apathy/indifference/"whatever!"