Yes When You Mean Yes
Our focus this week — Nov 12-Nov 18: “Generosity”
Today’s MotD: Yes When You Mean Yes. This one seems obvious but seriously, how often have we said yes to something when we really wanted to say no but didn’t because of some fear: didn’t want to hurt the requester’s feelings, would feel guilty if we said no, would feel like we’re being selfish, afraid of how it would look if we said no, and so on.
When we say yes when we really would rather say no, we’re more likely to go into it (whatever the generous action is that we’re about to take) with less-than enthusiastic energy, which over time might lead to resentment, frustration, and/or anger. Here’s the thing when we genuinely say yes, we’re more likely to go into it with an open heart, fully committed with a true willingness to give and/or help.
A while back at a neighborhood event, a neighbor of mine asked if she could go along with me on my daily walks. I agreed even though I wasn’t 100% on board with the idea. Since I didn’t want to look bad in front of everyone, I said “sure”. After a few months I started to resent going on these walks, which sometimes led to being frustrated with her and our conversations. Let me be clear, she was fine, it was me that was taking issue.
What I came to realize was that going for walks was not just exercise for me but also a meditation, a meditation that I would prefer to do as the spirit moved me (sometimes morning, sometimes afternoon). Having a rigid schedule of always walking at the same time each day and feeling like I had to carry on a conversation with someone else started to wear thin on me.
I finally had to be honest and told them that I would prefer to walk alone, as a meditation. It was challenging for me because this person was a nice a person and I didn’t want to hurt their feelings—that it was not about or because of them. Thankfully they were understanding even though I guilty afterwards…which I eventually released and allowed myself to enjoy my meditative walks.
Had I been honest with myself and my neighbor in the first place, I could have saved me and them some unnecessary embarrassment, frustration, and guilt.
We’re encouraged to take an extra moment to honestly assess our answers before committing to an act of generosity.
How about you ? When it comes to being generous, do you catch yourself saying “yes” when you’d rather say no ? How about conversely ? The next time an opportunity to be generous arises, can you give yourself an extra moment to assess and then give your honest answer ?
BTW…Here’s the before…the front and back view of today’s puzzle piece and the pretty ceramic box that holds all my numbers from which I randomly choose each day’s puzzle piece number:
Peace & Blessings,
Maureen
The Mandala Lady
🔆 transforming soul whispers into mandalas and channeled messages
ABOUT THE 2025 Mandalas of the Day
Throughout the year, I’ll be building one large (48”x48”) Tibetan-styled Mandala one piece at a time…one puzzle piece at a time, that is. The mandala design and the reversed puzzle side were printed on artist-quality watercolor paper. The forward facing puzzle side was printed on a 48”x48” wood panel.
Each day, at random, I’ll be painting in watercolors one of the 365 watercolor puzzle pieces, that by the end of the year will become Archangel Mandala #4. Read more about the Archangel Series. The word/message for each piece will be inspired by Melody Beattie’s book “52 Weeks of Conscious Contact”.
Ultimately, the message of this mandala is about how we are all uniquely part of the one.
Mandala of the Day 