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"put the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth and make a kissing motion with your lips and say nnnn and oh..." -vcf greenhills

How to Say No...and Still Feel Good About Yourself
by Maria Gracia

Many people find it very difficult to say no when someone makes a request of them. They believe that saying no is offensive and uncaring. They will say yes even when they know they really don't want to do it or don't even have the time to do it.

However, saying no is an important skill to learn and say from time to time. It is definitely not a bad thing to do. Keep the following information in mind the next time someone asks you do something, so you can say no and still feel good about yourself.

1. It's a Choice.

It is important to remember that saying no is a choice, not a requirement. In any situation, you have the choice to either say yes or say no. Because saying no is as much of a choice as saying yes, that means they are both good and acceptable answers.

2. Stay True to Yourself.

You think of yourself as a person of integrity. You take pride in being known as a person who gets things done when you make a commitment and won't let anyone down. You can't say no, right? Of course, you can! To be a person of integrity means saying no sometimes. Saying no simply means that you want to stay true to the commitments you have made.

3. Keep your Priorities in Mind.

Priorities give our life more clarity and show us the path to follow. Priorities play a large role in the decisions we make and whether to say yes or no to a request. Saying no to the things that are not on your priority list is perfectly acceptable.

4. Become more Empowered.

Empowerment is the process of increasing the capacity of an individual to make choices and to transform those choices into desired actions and outcomes.

5. Free From Guilt.

To free yourself from the guilt associated with turning down a friend or family member, keep in mind that by saying no you are voicing your opinion, standing up for rights and becoming the sole proprietor of your life. Affirm this fact every morning. It's better than asking yourself how you got into so much by saying yes all the time.

6. Sign of Strength.

Saying no is not a sign of weakness. It is actually a sign of strength. It indicates that you know your own strengths, abilities and limitations. If you don't want to say no, then learn to say 'not right now' instead.

7. Compare How You Feel.

Compare how you feel when you say yes to something and want to do it to when you say yes to something and really wanted to say no. When you do something because you really want to, you will have positive feelings and outlook on fulfilling your promise. If you said yes and wanted to say no, your feelings are going to be different. Perhaps these emotions come to mind: frustration, anger, resentment, and stress. Do you want to feel positive or negative? Go with your gut reaction.

8. Be Assertive.

Being assertive by saying no is not a negative trait and is not a form of confrontation or disrespect, as some people may think. It shows that you have self-respect and self- esteem and that you know you are not responsible for everybody and everything.

9. Don't Feel Bad.

You should never feel bad about saying no to being asked to do something which conflicts with your values or morals.

10. Be Honest.

When you need to say no to a request, it's fine to give an explanation. Perhaps you don't feel you have the skills, time or resources to complete the request. And saying no because I need time for myself is perfectly fine too. Feel good knowing that you were honest and upfront with the other person.

11. Reduce the Stress.

Minimize the stress involved with saying no by smoothing out the transition by using these three easy steps: (1) acknowledge the request ('Thank you for thinking of me.'); (2) convey your circumstances ('After reviewing my calendar, I don't have the time'); (3) minimize the saying of no ('Maybe next time' or 'Have you considered?').

12. Try New Things.

Saying no can allow you to try new things. Just because you have always helped plan the company picnic does not mean that you have to keep doing it forever. Saying no can free up time for you to pursue other hobbies and interests.

13. Don't Over-Commit.

Remember that yes is not always going to be the best answer. If you are already over committed, you have a much better chance of getting sick, tired and crabby, which won't benefit anyone else either.

14. Keep Yourself in Good Graces.

Many good causes may land at your door and it can be tough to turn them down. Complimenting the person or group's efforts while saying that you are not able to commit at this time helps to soften the blow and keeps you in good graces and feeling good.

What are you praying for?

"Fot this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding."
-    Colossians 1:9

Paul wrote to the Colossians that he was praying that God would give them spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then from that would com the ff.:
1.    They would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and please Him by their lives (v.10)
2.    They would be strengthened by His might so that they would be steadfast, patient, and joyful (v.11)
3.    They might give thanks to the Father who had delivered them from the power of darkness and transferred them to the kingdom of His beloved Son, “in whom we have redemption , the forgiveness of sins” (vv. 12-14)
Many times in prayer we attempt to “use” God rather than to ask for wisdom and spiritual understanding that He might use us. We want Him to do for us whatever we ask rather than asking for His wisdom so that we can do whatever He asks.
How do you pray? For your life to be delivered in a neat little gift box, or do you, like Paul, ask for wisdom and understanding?

-    July 23, Today Can Be Different       
-    “Just For Today – Guidelines for Living”
-    By Harold J. Sala

Excerpt from Living On A Dime Newsletter

Printer Friendly Text Version of the whole article

May 25, 2010

...The main point I was trying to make was that we often lose out on the joy and excitement that comes when we see God come through for us and provide something we couldn't do ourselves. We are like the woman who always complains to her friends that her husband is never there for her, especially in little things like helping her on with her coat or opening the car door for her.

What she fails to tell them (and probably doesn't even see) is that her husband would love to help her and do those things for her but because she is always in such a hurry and so independent she doesn't give him a chance to do them. She says, "Let's go to the store," and before he is out of his chair she is at the door with her coat on. While he is locking the door of the house, she runs to the car and jumps in.

She is losing out of the joy of knowing someone cares for her and cherishes her, even in the little things, and her husband is losing out of the joy you feel when you help someone you love. Both of them lose out on the closeness that comes with the pat or squeeze as he puts her coat on or the hand on her elbow as he helps her into the car.

We lose out on the same feelings with God when we always stay one step ahead of Him and don't give Him time to gently and lovingly help us. That was the main point I was trying to make in the "God Provides" newsletter-- not, "Shame on you if you don't wait on God because that shows you have no faith!" I was trying to remind people not to just immediately charge something when an obstacle comes, but to exercise your faith "muscles" in God more often.

The day may come when you have no credit cards or money to bail you out. Will you have exercised your muscles enough and will they be strong enough to carry you through? I don't know. That is between you and God alone and is not for me or any one else to judge. It's just something for you to think about.

-Jill

The Living On A Dime newsletter is published by:
Kellam Media and Publishing, Inc.
P.O. Box 844, Andover, KS 67002

www.LivingOnADime.com .

UpWords with Max Lucado

The Chapel: Where Man Covers His Mouth
by Max Lucado

"I am not worthy; I cannot answer you anything, so I will put my hand over my mouth." (Job 40:4)

The phrase for the chapel is "Hallowed be thy name."

This phrase is a petition, not a proclamation. A
request, not an announcement. Hallowed be your name. We enter the
chapel and beseech, "Be hallowed, Lord." Do whatever it takes to be
holy in my life. Take your rightful place on the throne. Exalt
yourself. Magnify yourself. Glorify yourself. You be Lord, and I'll be
quiet.

The word hallowed

What is it again?

Recently was reminded about being given grace. I guess I've forgotten about this recently due to frustrations and past event. It seems I've had a short fuse about the most insignificant things lately.

and so i googled just to remind myself..

Wikipedia defines it as such:

In Christianity, divine grace defined as "unmerited favor" from God. It is the outpouring of the love of God on humanity. It is the basis of Christians' hope for eternal salvation. Grace is considered the fruit of redemption—the reason Jesus Christ became a man, why he suffered and died on a Roman cross. Rather than being only a description of the character of God, it is considered the very essence of God and who He is. Grace describes the means by which humans are granted salvation. Grace is of central importance in the theology of Christianity, as well as one of the most contentious issues in Christian sectarianism. The principle of grace is considered as fundamental to Christianity as justice is to Law. The terms “salvation” and “grace” therefore become "virtually synonymous."

but it also says

Grace is often distinguished from mercy in that mercy is seen as not receiving punishment that one deserves to receive, whereas grace is the receipt of a positive benefit that one does not deserve to receive. Grace is also distinguished from knowledge of the Bible. In John Bunyan's classic allegory Pilgrim's Progress, the character named "Talkative" says that great knowledge of biblical mysteries is evidence of the work of grace in the soul. "Faithful" admonishes "Talkative" by saying, "...knowledge, great knowledge, may be obtained in the mysteries of the Gospel, and yet no work of grace in the soul. Yea, if a man have all knowledge, he may yet be nothing, and so, consequently, be no child of God."

Thank God for Grace..

we are undeserving..

not one of us able to save ourselves..

just lift it all to Him..

just breath..

di

^^

Life I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time. I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months. All that you sought and didn't find is hidden in me,waiting for you to search it out with more determination. All the good that you tried for and didn't achieveis mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires. All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will,all the faith that you claimed but did not have --these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakenedby the touch of a strong purpose.I am your opportunityto renew your allegiance to Him who said, "behold, I make all things new."I am the new year.-- Author Unknown

http://weburbanist.com/2009/03/08/polar-panoramic-stereographic-urban-photographs/

Little Planets: 30 Polar Panoramic Photographs

Found this online on Weburbanist...
found it to be amusing and familiar. As a kid i used to believe that each country was a planet just like in the pic.. apparently I had a big imagination.. :p

Indecisión me molesta
Si no me quieres, líbrame
Dígame qué tengo ser
¿Sabes que ropa me queda?
Venga, que me tienes que decir
¿Me debo ir o quedarme?

¿Yo me enfrío o lo soplo?
¿Yo me enfrío o lo soplo?
Si me voy va ver peligro
Si me quedo es doble

Me tienes que decir
¿Me debo ir o quedarme?
¿Yo me enfrío o lo soplo?
Si me voy - va ver peligro
Si me quedo es doble
Me tienes que decir