Saying "No" Is a Special Gift

I was with a group of people this morning and someone made the comment, “My not taking for an answer is hurting me.” When he made this comment, I thought his ability to persist was a special gift and not a trait that was hurting him. It is amazing how we all think in different ways.

After the meeting I approached him and shared my feelings of how my persistant nature and not giving up on something I value has made such a difference in my life. We discussed this for awhile and then others joined the group. We ended the conversation by recognizing what a special gift we had by not taking “No” for an answer when we felt it was important to continue pursuing our commitment.

I would like to share Jerry’s (name changed) story with you and how important it was not to take “No” for an answer. Jerry weighed over three hundred pounds and was not able to lose the weight. He tried different diets, affirmations, therapy and nothing helped. He felt the only way to start losing weight was to go to an eating disorder rehab. The only trouble was that every rehab he called specialized in alcohol, drugs, or women with anorexia. He started to become disillusioned, but something within gave him the willingness to continue. After several more calls he found an eating disorder rehab that worked with men and Jerry took a leave of absence to go there. Going changed his life. What would have happened if he took “No” for an answer?

In what situations have you taken “No” for an answer and miracles have happened? I know in my case if I do not say, “NO” to myself every time I want to eat something not on my food plan, I would still be struggling with my weight and not maintaining it.

It is your choice to never take “No” for an answer and pursue your commitment for living a healthy lifestyle. I am extending a special invitation to join a community that realizes saying “No” is a special gift that could help you achieve your goal. Together let’s plan ways we can make sure we are living our best life. I can reached by leaving a comment on this blog or sending me an email at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net.

Welcome to Living in Recovery.

I'm Helen Burton, a certified coach who helps both addicts and their loved ones work through the pain and develop a plan for a purposeful future. I also works with individuals in 12-step recovery programs to help them reach their potential while maintaining recovery.

After working as a team facilitator and contractor administrator in New Jersey government for more than twenty years, I realized she had a unique gift of helping people going through the recovery process. I knew that even though the 12-step programs available were saving thousands of lives, many needed more than just the 12-steps in order to go on to lead productive lives.

That's why I founded Love Yourself Coaching (http://www.loveyourselfcoaching.com/) in 2001, to meet the ongoing need creating healing and better lives for those with addictions and their loved ones. Through one-on-one coaching, group coaching as well as workshops, I offer tools and techniques to empower individuals to help them start enjoying their lives again.

And I'm not just a trained coach; I walk the talk every day. I've been in recovery for an eating disorder for more than eight years and have helped others with addictions close to me to overcome their issues.

I'm a Certified Empowerment Coach, receiving my ICF credentials and Iwas a Board Member of the New Jersey Professional Coaching Association. I'm also a founding member of Recovery Coaching International, where I serve on the Executive Board of Directors.

Three things you may not know about me:

• Although appearing friendly and outgoing, I'm is painfully shy – and I work everyday to make sure I keep it at bay.


• I have a mild obsession with expensive pocketbooks and purses, with more than twenty in my closet.


• I am the grandmother to seven kids and spends as much time as I can with them.

I hope you will find this blog not only inspirational, but informational as well to help you face your issues and empower yourself to overcome them.