I KNOW. We all want Yeses in our lives. There is nothing better than being favored. A yes is always a good thing right? It means you are doing something good and that you are liked (or loved). Getting that stamp of approval does things to a person. It improves mood, builds self-confidence and generally makes life brighter and happier. It adds a spring to your step and an ear-to-ear smile on your face knowing someone agrees with your thoughts and actions. We can go on and on about the pros of yes but it is not what this article is about.

So, let’s talk about being told that it’s a no. Arrghh. No has such a negative connotation that just the possibility of it can ruin a good disposition. It just is something most people do not take with a grain of salt. Actually, being told no kinda adds insult to injury, “kalamansi sa sugat,” so to speak.

I am pretty sure we have all gotten disappointed because of it. We have all fallen for it. These are moments that we hopefully either got over fast or quite sadly have had the misfortune of suffering from for a long time. C’est la vie, yes, but it needn’t be taken in negatively all the time. We should always believe that there is always good that comes with the bad side.

Last week, I was reminded how choosing the way we see things affect our outlook. It gave an insight how unfavorable events can turn out to be good if we are patient enough to see how things unfold. A “no” may not be eternally negative.

If we look hard enough, there are good lessons to learn from it.

Accepting it opens up a whole new horizon by which we can view life.

Have you ever felt so low after missing certain things just because you were denied the opportunity to try it? I’m sure you have and it may have broken your heart, until you experience something better, a chance you may have never gotten if you weren’t passed off in the first place.

Sometimes a “no” can save you too. Recently, I celebrated my 19th year post-airplane crash. I was supposed to be on the Air Philippines Flight 541 but wasn’t because I chose not to go (despite a confirmed flight) so I could finish my Lenten recollection. My “no” saved me. I am sure that you also have ‘saves’ like this. Isn’t it a blessing?

“No” really exudes a rather discouraging feeling but we do not need to dwell on it. We can rise above it if we choose to see things in brighter light. It may not come easy but we can work at it until we achieve it. Happy Sunday Everyone! :)