Saying no

I have a hard time saying no to opportunities. I love to be of use, to shine my Light. I thrive on an overcommitment that makes me feel my life has value. I get a buzz from engagement.

On the other hand, that same overcommitment loses me sleep. It makes me lose track of my agenda, my to-do list. It sometimes makes me feel stress in a damaging way.

I have gotten better at saying no. I have embraced the fact that there is a balance. I still do more activities than would be reasonable, but I say no now when I'm not sure that an opportunity is going to lead me to grow or allow me to give back in a way that is meaningful to me.

It's a start. My next step is that once I say no and people push back, I often relent. I would love to feel more deeply grounded in my "nos." But they are new - this part of me needs to grow its own roots.