“A graceful refusal is better than a lengthy promise.”
―Hazrat Ali Ibn Abu-Talib A.S
What leads you to say “no” to a reasonable request?
3 thoughts on “A Graceful Refusal”
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“A graceful refusal is better than a lengthy promise.”
―Hazrat Ali Ibn Abu-Talib A.S
What leads you to say “no” to a reasonable request?
Comments are closed.
The word “reasonable” is causing me pause. But, I usually say no to a request because I am simply not interested or do not wish to spend the time. As I grow older, time is far more important to me and I truly have to love something to give it my energy.
Often I do not say “no” so this question leads me to a somewhat inappropriate response. However I can say that if I am unable to schedule going because of illness or other plans, it is then obvious that I will decline. Cynthia is right in her insight that it sometimes steals valuable time from other things. I tend to accommodate to the others’ requests perhaps for my companionship. I realize that this is not a really satisfactory reaction. Maybe writing this comment will encourage me to change my answers when it is clear that I’m not interested in the topic. However, for more immediately necessary requests, I never say no to friends.
Hi Patricia,
Once you learn people won’t dislike you if you refuse to do something sometimes, it will become easier. As a matter of fact, they will begin to appreciate the time you give more. I used to having saying for my children, “Can’t miss you, if you don’t leave.” Of course now they are grown and have left and I love spending time with them again whenever I can. LOL