Trying to get these together has been difficult just because I'll randomly remember something and, of course, not have a pen or paper handy. I've thought about getting a little voice recorder, which I may end up doing for those moments, but I thought that since I have a blog why not put them of them on here as I remember them.
These lessons may be funny little things or they may be serious. These lessons also include many people throughout my life, friends, aquaintances, family, etc. So don't be surprised if you see that you were one of them that helped me learn a lesson for the better. After all, lessons learned are blessings in disguise. :)
LIFE LESSONS I'VE LEARNED #1.
I was about 11 years old. It was summer time and I was aching to get out and go swimming at the Scera Pool. I called a friend of mine, Sabrina, to see if she wanted to go with me. Knowing full well what her response was going to be I got anxious anticipating the moment when we could get going.
"Hello?" "Hi Sabrina, it's Shannon... (there was no caller ID back then)...Do you want to go to the pool with me?"
"No, not really" was her reply.
"Oh, ok bye", I said with an ache I hadn't felt before. Thinking to myself I said, "How rude! I can't believe she said NO". So then I tell my sister Erin of this aweful phone conversation I had just had.
"Erin, I just asked Sabrina if she wanted to go swimming with me at the Pool and she said no, rude huh!" Erin's reply was defining moment for me. "Well, Shannon, it's ok to say no. People don't have to do something they don't want to do."
Ding ding ding! "It's ok to say no?", I thought. I don't know why but I guess I had never had a friend before that moment say they didn't really want to do something with me. Not that I was a popular person to hang around with, but it had just never really happened before.
Throughout life I have realized that I'm a people pleaser. I always have been. I do whatever I can to make people happy, and that's ok. But this lesson taught me that I'm not here just to please people. I'm here to learn, to have growing experences, to be the best me that I can be.
And it's ok to say no.
7 comments:
I love that lesson. Erin sure is good to tell it like it is sometimes...and look, she taught you something good! I am still learning this lesson; saying no can be hard to your kids, your friends, and yourself! Why can't I have already learned everything by now?!
I love this post! you should do these life lessons more often.
I'm the same way. I want to do everything and I just can't. Saying no is a good thing. Doing something for yourself is important every once in a while.
I am a people pleaser too. I have just learned in the last few years that it is okay to say "no". The thing I find is it is so liberating.
Okay so you better not tease us for long with these great posts and never do the book because I would TOTALLY buy the book. I love the way you view life. I'm a people pleaser to and don't and feel defeated if I have to say no but it's something you learn to balance as you get older...never gets easier though.
Wow, you guys make me feel so good!! Thank you!! I'll keep posting them as they come to memory. :)
Really? I said something that actually did some good? Holy moly!
It IS hard to say no, ya? I am just like you...a people pleaser. I just always feel so bad when I have to say no!!!
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