21 February 2010

"No!"

Anything you are not free to say "no" to, you are unable to say "yes" to.

You can't really choose what you are not free to reject.

This is worth remembering if you really are intent on moving away from parental and managerial or even educational models that don't depend on some form of tyranny.

Is it any wonder that one of the first phrases that toddlers learn is "No!"? This is the beginning of taking control over defining self rather than capitulating to others who would gladly define you.

3 comments:

  1. UnknownMonday, February 22, 2010 4:04:00 AM

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  2. UnknownMonday, February 22, 2010 4:05:00 AM

    Well said!

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  3. AllenMonday, February 22, 2010 11:01:00 AM

    What I find amusing is the person who will state, "I don't disagree with you". I immediately then say, before they say anything else, "I'm so very glad to here you say you agree with me!" Then the fur usually starts to fly because a vast majority of the time the person then says, "Wait a minute . . . I'm not necessarily agreeing with you." To which I offer the retort, "Then why didn't you say 'I don't agree'? You either agree or not. Saying 'I don't disagree' is disingenuous. Be clear."

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