The Power of "NO"; Or how to sculpt a David

Any parent who has lived through the "terrible two's" knows how long a day can be when a child first learns the word "no." Thank goodness those terrible days pass. They are a key time of awareness though as the child begins to articulate what he/she likes and dislikes and in the process becomes a unique person.

When Michelangelo was asked by a pundit, "How did you go about sculpting the statue of David?", Michelangelo just answered, " I just cut out the parts that were not David."

When we know what our goal is, the next key is to say no to the parts that do not fit with the goal. Whether it is athletic training or any endeavor, the power of saying "NO" to the habits and activities that are not part of the champion result we seek is what the game is all about.

Saying NO as a government to the poor and weak is easy. What is required is to say NO to the rich and powerful as well... To administer the law evenly regardless of position. As a community, saying no is important also. Saying NO to greedy special interests and those who disregard the public good for their own end is necessary if we are to sustain the public trust in a government of laws and not just politics.

Saying No to ones kids, ones friends, (insert your special no here) sure is difficult. In doing so, though, one finally defines who one is. Saying only YES does not define anything. Saying NO got to David. Saying YES alone would have created just a block of granite.