“No” Before “Yes”

“No” is a verbal wall. It separates you from other people, and is generally thought of as negative. But at times this wall is a necessity.

“Will you help me move next Saturday?”

“No.”

“Would you let me get ahead of you in line? I’m in a hurry.”

“No.”

“Will you loan me five dollars?”

“No.”

There are days when you may not feel the need for any walls. But on other days you may feel like Greta Garbo and “vant to be alone.” You have that right. In fact, you have many rights.

You have the right to...