Saying No

I read an interesting scripture this morning in my daily devotional.

This year I'm reading from Shauna Niequist's Savor: Living Abundantly Where You Are, As You Are every morning as part of my efforts in saying Yes to more time in God's Word. (The subtitle of the book also just seemed appropriate for The Year of Yes.)

By the way, when I decided that I wanted to do that, I told my husband about my intention. His response was skepticism that I could actually do something every day for a whole year — and being the rebel¹ that I am, he was probably right. But, being the rebel that I am, because he said I couldn't do it, I've been very successful in this endeavor!

Anyway, I read an interesting scripture this morning in my daily devotional.

"I have the right to do anything," you say — but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything" — but not everything is constructive.

— 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV)

Shauna talked about cooking and recipes — about moving "outside of established rules and expectations" [page 315]. But, being the rebel that I am, that wasn't the lesson I needed.

What I heard in this verse of scripture was my rebellious nature asserting that I can do whatever I want — with God's gentle reminder that my Yeses ought to be mindful, that they need to be intentional, and that I have to set priorities. Sometimes, maybe frequently, saying Yes means saying No.

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¹This year I've embraced the rebel label of Gretchen Rubin's Four Tendencies Framework. As she describes that tendency, "Rebels resist all expectations, outer and inner alike. They act from a sense of choice, from freedom. Rebels wake up and think, 'What do I want to do today?' They resist control, even self-control, and enjoy flouting rules and expectations. They sometimes frustrate others — and even themselves — because they resist any expectation, even one that’s self-imposed."

What Happy People Do Differently

Quote of the Day

"Do or do not ... there is no try."

~Yoda

From Beliefnet.com:

Eliminate "I'll try" From Your Vocabulary

When we say, “I tried,” in the past tense, it means we have failed at reaching a goal. Likewise, saying “I’ll try” is a way of excusing ourselves from doing the hard work of accomplishing whatever it is we are setting out to do. When you make a commitment or promise to yourself or others, say instead, “I will do it!”

Quote of the Day

"A part-time effort, a sorta-kinda commitment, an untested promise, won't suffice. You must know that you mean business, that you're going to jump into it up to your eye sockets and not turn back at the last minute."

~Gregg Levoy

Thinking about Commitment

A friend on Facebook posted this thought today:

There is a difference
between interest and commitment.
When you're interested in something,
you do it only when it's convenient.
When you're committed to something,
you accept no excuses, only results.
This idea immediately resonated with me - and the more I thought about it, the more I liked it! Whether we are talking about reading for pleasure, losing weight, being a contributing member of an organization, or just about any other aspect of one's life, the difference between interest and commitment is significant.

I am an avid reader. Other people often mention to me that they'd like to read like I do ... when they find the time. I doubt I'm any less busy than they are, but I'm "committed" to being a reader. I'm not just interested in reading when it's convenient - but I make the time for this most enjoyable pastime. (Lately I have had less time to read than I would wish I did - but that's something I hope to correct through my efforts to create happiness in my life.)

On the other hand, I realize that I'm only "interested" - at the present time - in losing weight. When I'm tired, I don't exercise. When I feel like eating chocolate, I do it. Until I'm committed to losing weight, it just isn't going to happen.

In the things that matter most - in my faith, with my family, in the promises I've made - I want to always be committed.