Then and Now

On a park bench one sunny afternoon, a teenager sat next to a stranger, and in no time at all, the teen's ears became a sounding board for one so eager to talk, so willing to disclose his life as if the process itself was therapeutic. It was like releasing pressure, a 'let her rip' moment of words he could contain no longer. Mr. Simon was elated and wished to unveil a change in himself that time had developed. Sitting next to a teen unencumbered by cell phone or boredom, Mr. Simon wiped a tear and thanked God for an opportunity that might never come again. When very young and less experienced, he wasted little time saying, "Yes" because he sought out those whom he deemed wiser than himself. Counsel is what he desired, because he already had "his orders". He always knew what he was to do with his life but not always where to go or how to get there. By the time he sat on that bench with the teen, he was ready to share his life and wisdom. He vividly sited "game-changing" places in time. In New York, there was Bob to whom it was next to impossible to say 'No'; In Texas, there was his employer that contributed so little in comparison to what he gave to the organization by constantly saying, "Yes". In Iowa, there was the head of the Organization with whom on a major project he sought counsel and support. The counsel proved to be out of step and out of tune with his dream. Mr. Lee traveled the "Yes Road" 20 years or more portraying a life of saying "Yes". THAT WAS THEN. To a request in California, Mr. Simon said, "No". He remembers the time, the place, the person, and the circumstance. After saying "No" to the request, the person said, "Did you say "No?" Mr. Simon responded with, "Yes, I said "No". From that point forward, Mr. Simon felt certain that he had taken back his life that had been held captive for so many years. It was exhilarating as Mr. Simon shared with the teen how he has felt free like a soaring eagle. It was as if Mr. Simon was set free by the word, "No". 012019PoSoup