They say that no is the first word you ever learn. And there are people out there who think that it’s the first word we should forget. And then, there are some people who stick to it like a three foot thick sheet of battleship armor. The word no can be a shield, a bludgeon, a razor wire fence that keeps the worst of the world at bay. And nowhere will that be so readily apparent as it is in recent release Yes Man.
Featuring Jim Carrey as Carl, a recent divorce who’s not taking it very well, he’s discovered the value of “no” to keep the slings and arrows of the world at bay. Risk? Not a good thing to Carl, who makes his living as a loan officer, and for whom saying no is an entire way of life. But when Carl finds himself at a seminar, convinced into making a “covenant” with himself where his answer to every offer he receives must be “yes”, his world quite literally turns upside down, and we discover that while “no” may protect you from the good in life just as much as the bad, “yes” can let in the exact same thing.
As the kind of person who sees the value in “no” himself, I really got kind of an eye opener on this one. It’s a great question—how many things do we say “no” to that may well be good for us? How often have we refused to go out into the world and do something that leaves a worthwhile memory in its place because we were afraid, or because we were tired or discomfited or otherwise uneager to leave the safety and peace and comfort of our houses, couches, and DVD players? And the same goes to the “yes” crowd—how many times have you walked into serious trouble because you said yes to something you shouldn’t have?
Featuring Jim Carrey as Carl, a recent divorce who’s not taking it very well, he’s discovered the value of “no” to keep the slings and arrows of the world at bay. Risk? Not a good thing to Carl, who makes his living as a loan officer, and for whom saying no is an entire way of life. But when Carl finds himself at a seminar, convinced into making a “covenant” with himself where his answer to every offer he receives must be “yes”, his world quite literally turns upside down, and we discover that while “no” may protect you from the good in life just as much as the bad, “yes” can let in the exact same thing.
As the kind of person who sees the value in “no” himself, I really got kind of an eye opener on this one. It’s a great question—how many things do we say “no” to that may well be good for us? How often have we refused to go out into the world and do something that leaves a worthwhile memory in its place because we were afraid, or because we were tired or discomfited or otherwise uneager to leave the safety and peace and comfort of our houses, couches, and DVD players? And the same goes to the “yes” crowd—how many times have you walked into serious trouble because you said yes to something you shouldn’t have?
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