No'
“No.”
From an early age, we learn the power of this two-letter word. I mean, have you ever seen a 3-year-old use it? This one little word is the ultimate assertion of self for little ones on their journey to personhood. “No, I will not put my shoes on…No, I will not share my toy…No, I will not eat those carrots…No, NO, NO!!!"
Now, surely you parents out there will agree with me that hearing a defiant “no” from our children can be infuriating. Why can't she just put her shoes on so we can leave? Why can't he just do his homework? Why can't they just get with the program?!?
But, dear parents (I'm including myself here too!), as frustrating as it can be, it turns out that your child's “no” is good news ultimately, because what they're really saying is, “I am somebody and I'm going to decide what I will and will not do. You can't control me.”
It's good news because if your children can harness that sense of self and align it with truth as they grow older, they're going to become beacons of light in the world.
They will become courageous, principled individuals like Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitchers Jason Adam, Jalen Beeks, Brooks Raley, Jeffrey Springs, and Ryan Thompson. When faced with a Major League Baseball mandate to wear game apparel specially made to celebrate “pride” month last year, these five refused — respectfully, kindly, firmly.
Each one of these men saw themselves as “somebody” enough to say “no.” Each one of them felt a personal sense of autonomy and responsibility — “I will decide for myself.” Each one bucked at the thought of being controlled and used to promote a message that doesn't align with their deepest beliefs.
They said “No”, and thanks in big part to their courage, this year, the league removed the jersey mandate promoting sexual deviance.
When a few people make a stand against tyranny, the effects can be huge. And those people all start as little boys and girls who love the power of the word “no”.
The thing is, those kids need parents who also know how to use “no” to its fullest potential. And some of us adults have forgotten how to say it. We've gotten caught up in fear over what others will think of us, fear of the consequences, fear of discomfort. Maybe we've lost that sense of self a little bit, and have succumbed to the temptation to blend in, to fly under the radar.
If we want to raise our children to be people of truth who know how to make a stand for what's right, we need to rediscover the power of “no.”
Look around your world. Where does a “no” need to be said? Where do you see tyranny that needs standing up to? How could you use your “no” to say “yes” to the kind of world you'd like to help create?
