The Power in the Pushback - It Is Okay to Say No Way Go Away by Care’n Mooney

Care'n Mooney
Sep 26
4 min read

Ask anyone or 2-year-old the power of NO! They may not fully understand the ramifications of this small and powerful word, but they do see the amazing results when they use it. And use it they do.

When I found out I was having a surprise package 20 years after her brothers and sisters had all been born, I resolved that I was going to show her the world in a totally different way. I wanted to give her a way to navigate and resolve challenges and do it in a more positive way.

I have seen how this small but very effective change has given her a way to move through life with confidence, and a positive perspective. I pondered for a long time to figure out how I was going to stop behavior without using the word no. That was my solution, I would use the word stop.

As she would eagerly crawl over to something that grabbed her attention, I would simply say STOP, and she would stop and sit up and look at me knowing that I would come over and assist her while she investigated what had drawn her interest and her curiosity. I found that the words STOP allowed me to gently change the behavior and did not implant the constant NO.

I did not realize I was teaching myself also that when I came into situations that were unknown or uncomfortable and I would just STOP I was actually teaching myself to become aware of my surroundings.

Take a breath and then move in a direction that I chose more beneficial.
I never said no, only words like, let me think about it, not at this time, or we can do this and that.

However, the magic word of no is a very powerful tool and used properly will allow us to also be able to be our authentic selves and still have our boundaries.

When I am coaching clients and find that they are influenced by the concepts that if they do not say yes, they will not be loved, are seen, they developed the idea that always saying yes, no matter what is going to happen.

Give them what they need. I sometimes laughingly say “what part of no do you not understand” is that the big N or the O. for that small word sometimes is very hard for people to voice.

translated no does not being “keep bugging me,” or it is okay this time or my voice does not matter. No means to discontinue the conversation and that is completely over at this time.

We are all entitled to our space, our thoughts, our feelings, and we choose when and where we wish to share them with others. As you began to find your authentic self you grow to understand that it is okay and reasonable to require a time to yourself, at times to participate and even a time to decline from being persuaded to do something that does not feel right at the moment.

No is not a negative, it is a doorway, a gate that allows us a moment to feel and know if this is the direction that we wish to pursue.
No is not the rejection of an idea, we just need to gather more information so our souls can assess if this is a choice that we wish to take.
When we love ourselves and respect those around us, we show them that we care enough about our choices that we pause to feel the impact of water yes would be.
Saying no does not have to be written in stone; it just puts on the brakes and lots of slow down and really value our thinking and reconsider all aspects if we do say yes.

When we learned that boundaries are blessed, the power of no, not at this time, is a gentle way of keeping our truth.

People who see themselves as saviors, are thinking no one will love them if they do not always agree, are slowly getting themselves away. They never learn to know what they need because they are the yes person for the rest of the world.

Sharing your energy is very different than having it constantly being siphoned away. Always saying yes because it pleases others will constantly drain your energy. This can lead to illnesses, despair, and depression.

When we actually voice our choice to not be part of something, we free our soul, bringing your voice open the throat chakra and allows your truth to follow.

When we honor our space, we show others that they also can honor themselves. We step into our power we again move into our sacred space.

They go to us to make this specific request, or task does not necessarily limit us from being of service in another way.

No is not negative, not cruel, nor does it reject, it is freeing informational and reconnect says to our true authentic self.

And specifically, if we are in a situation where a simple no, does not satisfy the persons asking and we realize that this relationship, this situation, this family entanglement or whatever it may be is not for our highest good there is beauty in saying NO WAY, GO AWAY.

As we have been talking about sacred space, boundaries self-love and being true to yourself, there are situations where in order to keep your dignity, your honor, your authenticity you have to simply say NO WAY, GO AWAY

Every Tuesday evening, I host a heart-centered meditation at my center in Mesa, Arizona, which I call the Open-Heart Meditation. During this session, I guide the group into the depths of our heart’s center, filling it with joy as we allow it to expand and vibrate faster and faster. Through this practice, we embrace our true essence as beings of light.

If you’re in the Phoenix or Mesa area, I warmly invite you to join us. Feel free to reach out and become part of our Open-Heart Meditation community.