Typically I am not a fan of the “New Year’s Resolution” (NYR) having, over the past three decades, tried to make (and keep) a dizzying array of them with very little success.

A friend posted a link to this article by Sydney McBride on her Facebook wall and when I read it, thought, “Surely I could try to accomplish one or two of these in 2015.” After all there are 365 days…

Fifteen, given my NYR track record, is far too many, but as I read the article three (4,5, & 8) seemed to form a theme that resonated with me: “Get off your butt (stop waiting and doubting) and get out of your own way.” This is something I’ve long wanted to to do. I have dreams, ideas, and plans. Perhaps 2015 could be the year that I move one (or more) of those things forward. I want to try.

The last one from the article that really resonated with me was number 12, “Stop saying yes all the time” and it’s the inspiration for the title of this post. Sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to remember. I want to let my “no” stand alone, without some explanation that (in all honestly) is born out of my guilt at having said no in the first place. Typically, I end up saying yes by the time my explanation is over. This needs to stop. I need to let my no stand alone, without some guilt-driven excuse hanging all over it.

“Just like the lens of a camera, you have the power to adjust your vision. And, even on the darkness days, where you can’t see anything, just keep moving forward. It’s the only constant and forever the direction in which we all must go.” -Sydney McBride

So, I’m adjusting my vision. I’m ready to step out and pursue a dream and to say no sometimes. I don’t know how successful I will be but I am looking forward to the journey.