No is one of the most difficult words to deal with, especially when we desperately want something, or feel it is crucial for our success and happiness. In sales, NO is the leading cause of 'fear of rejection complex' that causes so many people to get out of business!

'No' was a difficult word for Bil and me to hear when we created amazing proposals, only to find someone else was chosen to do the job. But here's how we began to hear the YES in NO. We began saying "Thanks for saying no!"

For example, when we received news that we weren't chosen to give a keynote presentation we immediately followed up with a note, thanking the prospective client for offering us the opportunity to be considered ~ and included affirmations for them to have a great conference.

Then we offered our services for future events. We also announced that, should something happen at the last minute where they found they needed a speaker, to feel free to contact us. We usually

Incredibly, we discovered that we were often contacted immediately to discuss next year's conference! We had learned how to find the YES in NO by looking at a more long-term response.

How many times do you run into obstacles that seem to wave a big red " NO" in front of you? It seems so easy to just give in, and say, "Forget it!" But in Mark 10:27, Jesus makes a remarkable statement: "With God, all things are possible." What exactly does that mean? It creates all kinds of debates, like "Yeah, possible, but how probable?" Or "This sounds good, but it won't work in the real world!"

Suppose someone asked you to cut a hole in a 5x7 card big enough for a person to step through it. Because you're a good Truth practitioner, you'd want to act like a believer. So you'd say, "All things are possible" and you might even take action - but in the end you'd throw up your hands and say, "This stuff doesn't work!"

As we make that connection with the Christ of us, our God center, we are open to the Divine Flow of everything we ever need. However, until we make that connection, our human self sees the appearance of obstacles, of "NOs." So, how do we move through that process, so we can always find the YES in No?

THE 'YES in NO' PROCESS:

1) Expect the Yes in No

This relates totally to an attitude of expectancy. So often, we get exactly what we expect. Not necessarily what we want, or what we hope for - but what we expect! Shakespeare asserted long ago: "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."

Sometimes we create huge NO's simply due to our expectations, which translate into our behaviors. For example, from a survey of key personnel executives of 100 major American businesses, here are some of the accounts of bizarre behavior by job applicants:

"... said he was so perfect that if he didn't get the job, it would suggest that the company's management was incompetent."

"... announced she hadn't eaten lunch and proceeded to eat a hamburger and french fries in the interviewer's office."

"Balding candidate abruptly excused himself. Returned to office a few minutes later, wearing a hairpiece."

"...he threw-up on my desk, and immediately started asking questions about the job, like nothing had happened."

"When asked the reason for leaving last job: He insisted all employees get to work by 8:45 am every morning. I couldn't work under those conditions."

We do it to ourselves! So what are we expecting?

Lowell Fillmore shares how Adam named the animals in the creation story, and says that in like manner, we can name our conditions as either bad or good, yes or no. Since we have this creative power, why not name things good?

Look at how fickle the determination of Good versus Bad is. Just one example: Is coffee good or bad for you? Depends on which research you read. A recent Harvard research article outlined in WebMD that coffee lowers your risk of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and colon cancer-lifts your mood and treats headaches-improves athleticism, and can even lower your risk of cavities!

So begin now to Expect the Yes in No!

2) Embrace the YES in NO.

This suggests creating an attitude of joy, knowing that at the level of spirit, it already is. It is important to recognize that what you think of or experience is more important than the thing or experience itself. Whenever you become aware of a blockage that seems to be saying "NO!" immediately affirm YES!

We have crafted what we call the "Apostrophe Effect" ~ which we've shared before, but believe it is so important we want to share it again. When you run into the NO's of life, remember this. Imagine the word IMPOSSIBLE. Put an apostrophe between the 'I' and the 'M.' what does it spell now? I'M POSSIBLE! Practice creating the 'Intention of Embracing the YES in NO.'

3) Expand the Yes in No.

Here we're talking about passing it on projecting the attitude of hope and encouragement to others. You can begin educating others so that instead of asking "Why did this happen to me?" they discover how to ask the question, "How can I use this for good?" Here's a little tip for you: It's all in how it's spelled!

You run smack into a difficult situation, and immediately you see N-O, NO! But what if you changed the spelling to K-N-O-W, KNOW? This becomes a trigger to remind you that you KNOW there is a YES in that No, and you KNOW that you are one with Divine Substance, where all things work together for good - where all things are possible!

And just in case you run into a really tough situation that challenges your belief to the fullest, ask us to show you how you can step through a 5x7 index card.

We K-N-O-W, KNOW, that all things are possible when we we connect with our Christ Center! And as you practice the art of 'Expecting the Yes in NO,' 'Embracing the Yes in No,' and 'Expanding the Yes in No,' you will reap the benefits in terms of walking the spiritual path with practical feet!