A couple of good thoughts I ran across during some reading earlier today:
"It's easy to say no because we do not want to think through the implications of saying yes."
"The way you respond to disappointment with your authorities teaches your children how to be under authority."
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I like both these quotes...I've had similar thoughts on authority before, because no matter where you are in life, there is almost always someone with some form of "authority" over you.
ReplyDeleteWhere does the first quote come into play for you? Where do you see this? I think I've had the opposite problem in my life! (That is, I don't always think through the implications of saying "yes".)
Well, the quote was in context of child rearing. With that in mind, I think it shows in two main ways: laziness and overprotection. Examples:
ReplyDeleteA parent deeply entrenched in some meaningless tv show tells their toddler they can't go ride their bike outside because the parent doesn't want to think about having to go supervise and miss their show. Especially while sitting and watching the child go in circles around the driveway. So it's just easier to say no.
Or say your teenage child (still a few years away for me) wants to do something out of the ordinary like an overnight trip with friends to see a concert in another state. It can be easier just to say no without really considering their request because we're to scared to think of the possible negative outcomes.
No matter whom is asking us, we often do not fully think through the implications of our answers. (no OR yes)
And you're right, it is sometimes easier to say Yes than no. This is more often than not (in my experience) due to the laziness factor, knowing it will require more of me to say no.
To clarify where I left off... When I said it will require more of me to say no, I meant it will take more guts/backbone/intestinal fortitude. In other words, it's easier to give in and say yes than it is to step up to the bar and have the strength to say no.
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