NO. That's The Message.

 by Charlotte Bennardo

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch: https://www.pexels.com/photo/hand-of-a-woman-showing-palm-with-a-word-no-4830656/

"I said NO." 

I'm sure many of us heard that from our parents. It's funny how we're taught that sometimes "No" is a complete sentence, that there will be no explanations because it's either obvious why (you can't have cookies when dinner is in a half hour) or, because the person doesn't want to have to justify their decision (No, I don't want to go out with you.) We learned this lesson from those around us.

Yet sometimes, we don't allow ourselves to use it. 

Our September theme is "pressures, stresses and life balance." Amidst those situations, we lose sight of the right, the ability, to say NO. Too many times we want to please others, but we need to remember to please ourselves. The pressures, stresses, and life balance that we face, whether as a parent, a worker, an artist, a student, a child-is that we must learn our limits, set our boundaries, put ourselves first before we fall. 

What I'm doing is letting go of what isn't imperative, allowing some things to slide to reduce stress and pressure, and achieve more balance. The world will not end if I don't weed my gardens every week, or do every aspect of marketing for my books, or volunteer for every committee on my church so everything gets done. Life is not just about addressing every situation or problem which crosses our path; it's about knowing what we can/can't do, need to do, or even WANT to do.

So set your boundary lines. Decide what are your wants and needs. Stand in front of the mirror and practice saying NO. Trust me, the life will go on and will be better for it. 

Charlotte is busy with the debut of her new YA fantasy, The Excalibur Vow, out now. She writes MG, YA, NA, and adult novels and short stories in sci fi, fantasy, contemporary, horror, paranormal, and romance genres. She is the author of the award-winning middle grade Evolution Revolution trilogy:  Simple Machines, Simple Plans, and Simple Lessons. She co-authored the YA novels Blonde OPS, Sirenz, and Sirenz Back in Fashion. She has several short stories in anthologies and online, along with newspaper and magazine articles. Having finished her MFA, she's applying what she learned, and is working on several children's and adult novels and short stories. She lives in NJ but dreams of a Caribbean beach house. And more cats.