	Bob Hostetler > Writing

Saying No to Good Things

by Bob Hostetler

I started writing this monthly column six-and-a-half years ago. My first offering, which appeared in July 2000, was entitled, “The Adequacy of the English Language.” Today, due to the accelerating demands on my time these days, I sit down to write my last column—this one entitled, “Saying No to Good Things.”

This column has been a good thing. It has been always a privilege and often a joy to write. I’ve been helped far more than I’ve helped (ain’t that always the way?). And how hard can it be to write seven hundred words a month, right? Absolutely right. But this past weekend, a close friend and accountability partner of mine challenged me on a topic unrelated to this column, saying, “You know, you don’t have to say yes to every good thing that comes your way.”

He’s right, of course (I hate when that happens). And I realize that may not be a novel concept to you. But it was a strange and wonderful realization to me.

Let’s face it. For most of us, good things don’t come along that often. Except that the sun rises every morning (some days brighter than others). And most of us don’t have to struggle for our next breath…or our next meal. And, as people living in the U.S.A., we enjoy freedoms and blessings that most of our brothers and sisters around the world crave.

But to some extent, that’s just the point. For example, the abundance and variety of food choices that are available to me is a good thing; but I don’t have to say yes to every good thing that comes my way. In fact, doing so can make a good thing not so good anymore. (Come to think of it, aren’t many vices literally “too much of a good thing?” Like gluttony: too much food. Or sloth: too much relaxation. Or lust: too much testosterone?).

Even so, let’s not go overboard. I’m not about to say NO to every good thing that comes my way. But that’s not the same as saying yes all the time. Maybe if I said yes a little less often, I might have more time to enjoy the things I do say yes to. I might actually become more focused. Less stressed. I might even have time to say yes to a few new things. Better things. Even best.

That would be good.

This article appeared in the February 3, 2007, edition of the Hamilton Journal-News.

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