By Dr. Synesio Lyra, Jr.
The value of discernment is in that it provides you a grid by which to evaluate every situation that arises in your day by day activities. There will be occasions when, of necessity, you shall have to respond “No” very emphatically, and with finality, to a variety of events around you!
People who lack discernment, however, will be at peril in their confrontation with certain situations, or in their responses to specific requests. Some may answer “Yes” too easily to anyone, and to anything, without measuring in advance the potential consequences of their reply.
Sadly, there are also others who appear to have conditioned themselves only to say “No” at all times, regardless of what is being posed, asked, or proposed to them. It is with this type of individuals that I am primarily concerned in these paragraphs.
I have encountered several people who consistently deny whatever others request of them. Children who grow in such environment, and are left without any explanation as to why their requests are being denied, will be adversely affected in varied ways, not only for that moment, but into their future as well!
The underlying problem is that those who respond “No” to everyone and everything they face, have already said the same to life itself. That having been the case, they lack the joie de vivre, i.e. the joy of living. They allow negativity to color and pervade whatever they see and hear.
Nevertheless, although dark clouds may often be present, one needs to confront life and its offers more optimistically. In spite of distressing conditions existent in the entire world, one can still contemplate beauty, a measure of goodness, and human sincerity among those whom one carefully chooses as friends and close acquaintances.
Furthermore, every evil which makes its appearance, any dark cloud which passes through, are not here to stay. Common difficulties that humans face in their earthly journey are challenges which can be diminished or totally eliminated. There are mechanisms to be utilized in the resolution of any conflict, and anyone can find them through diligent search!
Life is lived more securely, and its experience becomes more pleasurable, if one learns to say “Yes” more often, due to good understanding and discernment, instead of choosing to limit all reactions and responses to an unchangeable negative reply!
Thus, if you’re ever asked “Can You Say Yes to Anything” hopefully you can respond affirmatively, on account of employing sound discernment in all your evaluations and considerations!