Meet  Jonie. Jonie is a wife, mother of 3 boys, school volunteer, cheerleading coach and professor at a local college. While Jonie feels highly blessed  and values her life and everything in it…something just isn’t right. Between PTA meetings,  professional responsibilities, and wifely duties, Jonie has become complacent in her daily routine. She is tired and it shows. Nevertheless she works tirelessly to please her family and those around her. Because of this she is starving her dream of starting a web series that chronicles the lives of women from all over the world. So much of her time is always given to others that she rarely makes time for herself. One night, while coming home from a meeting, Jonie fell asleep behind the wheel. She woke up in a hospital bed with her husband by her side. “What. Happened.?” she slurred. She couldn’t move her back or left leg. He kissed her forehead. “You ran off the road and into a ditch. The doctor said that you were dehydrated, fatigued, and that you are lucky to be alive.” He shook his head. “I feel like it’s my fault. I can’t lose you. And I’m sorry I allow my selfish needs at times to negate you. We need you.” Jonie tried to crack a smile and he grabbed her hand. “Tell me what it is that you want.” Jonie took a deep breath. After a couple of minutes she finally said, “I want to be able to say NO…and YES to me.” Her husband raised his eyebrows. “Whatever that means, we will do.”

While Jonie’s situation was unfortunate, we all know that certain pinnacles in life will happen that will make you pause and reflect. So, what steps will YOU take NOW to make yourself a priority? This means having equal concern for you and your loved ones. When you begin to put yourself first you will fall in love with who you are destined to become! You will then take the steps to walk into your purpose. It’s perfectly fine to tell someone no, especially when your needs are not being met. Check out the top two reasons you should JUST SAY NO!!!

N eglecting yourself means that you are not being the best you. When you are not the best you, you will not perform on the most optimal level of excellence. This will, in turn, affect your relationships, work ethic, attitude, and emotional well-being.  Exercise, eat properly, relax, laugh, and live. Your life depends on it.

O btaining permission from yourself to pursue your dreams is not being selfish. It is acknowledging the fact that you were put here to do great things to create change. It is never too late to pursue what lies deep within your heart. It is your responsibility to search within yourself to thrive! Say NO and watch yourself grow!

There are 1,440 minutes in a day. That’s 86, 400 seconds you have to move towards your purpose. Time is of the essence. Who will YOU say NO to today?