Power of saying no

Stallions in the wild can not only be recognized by their body build, but also by the many scars on their body.

Their willingness to set boundaries with other stallions to protect their mares and family can escalate into physical altercations with the risk of injury. People in the workplace, generally do not risk physical injury, and yet there is something holding them back from saying no and setting boundaries with others.

If we look at it from the perspective of social conditioning, women are often taught that they must be there for everyone else first before taking care of their own needs. Similarly, men have often been conditioned to believe that they must be strong and never show signs of weakness. 

When you recognize that your behavior is often the result of your conditioning — the way you were raised — or you realize that you have simply adopted beliefs from other people without questioning them, you can begin making decisions that truly serve you and bring quality of life and joy. With every “yes” you say to yourself, that wonderful feeling grows inside you — the feeling that you stood up for yourself — and that feeling gives you the courage to keep going.

This quote has inspired me to say no more often: "Rest and self-care are so important. You can't serve from an empty vessel." - Eleanor Brownn. If you do not look after yourself, then who will? As an adult, you are responsible for your life; no one else is.