Paulo Coelho
“Hitler may have lost the war on the battlefield, but he ended up winning something,” says M. Halter. “Because in the 20th century, men created the concentration camp, resuscitated torture, and taught their fellow men that it is possible to close one’s eyes to the misfortunes of others.”
The most important words in any language are small words. “Yes,” for example. Love. God. These are words that are easy to utter, and they fill in empty spaces in our world.
However, there is one word – also a small one – that we find difficult to say:
“No”.
And we see ourselves as generous, understanding, and polite. Because “no” is considered to be cursed, egoistic, not at all spiritual.
We have to be careful here. There are moments when we say “yes” to others and in fact are saying “no” to ourselves.
All the great men and women in the world have been people who, rather than say “yes”, said a very big NO to everything that did not fit their ideal of solidarity and growth.
We may often be called intolerant, but it is important to open up and fight against everything and all circumstances if we see injustice, manipulation or cruelty. No-one can admit that, after all is said and done, Hitler set a pattern that can be repeated because people are incapable of protesting. And to reinforce this fight, let us not forget the words of John Bunyan:
“For all that I have suffered, I do not regret the problems that I have faced – because they are what brought me to where I wanted to arrive. Now that I am close to death, all that I have is this sword, and I hand it over to whoever wants to follow their pilgrimage.
“I carry with me all the marks and scars of the combats – they are the witnesses of what I have lived through, and the rewards for what I have conquered. It is these cherished marks and scars that will open for me the gates of Heaven.
“There was a time when I was always hearing stories of bravery. There was a time when I lived only because I needed to live. But now I live because I am a warrior, and because one day I want to be in the company of Him in whose name I have fought so hard.”
So scars are necessary when we fight against Absolute Evil, or when we have to say “no” to all those who, sometimes with the best of intentions, try to impede our journey towards dreams.
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Read it just when I needed it. How can one know how many others think? Because you are just like us, right mentor?
What if you can’t hurt “those who, at the best of their intentions try to impede your journey towards your dreams” because they are most undeserving of pain?
Yesterday, found a great story in Salonunidad’s Blog, called ‘The Snake Said Nothing’, if anyone is interested.
http://salonunidad.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/the-snake-said-nothing/
I love stories like this!
Also thinking about and listening to the comments here. Thank you!
Love to All, Jane : )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KRD8e20fBo
Lots of love,
Vicky
i’m soO in love with these words! :D
beautiful, words.
you are right Paulo, but I don’t think that Saddam Hussein was a man of peace.
The problem is that war hurts above all innocent people.
I’m surely against war, but sometimes, and this should be a subject of deep reflection for every one, people are in the condition of turning their face around, or say no, that’s enough.
The war is certainly the worst way to say no.
We pay many people, professionists, parliaments and so on, in order to prevent wars.
Why don’t they do it, working hardly on diplomacy?
this is the point.
Even war is a (bad, wrong) way to say no; the question is if it always possible to avoid war, ad if those who are in the highest positions don’t do enought to prevent such events.
Love.
Chris
This reminds me very much of Japanese. It’s true, the small words such as yes or no, those are the words that can change the world or one’s future. And in almost every language, yes or no are actually small words right? In Japan the word no means ie, and believe me I have lived here for so long i don’t recall hearing this word used directly. Japanese have a strange way of saying NO, as long as they don’t say NO. find this very interesting. because of this particular reason, here in japan it is very difficult to blend in, and to have an intimate relationship, or friendship. Japanese have the word No in their language but they just too scared to pronounce it, in the end it leaves Japanese people with a “mask” because you will never know what is beyond theirs faces or their thoughts.
Last night I dreamed a dream of Brazil’s President Lula da Silva… Yes! I asked to him what I should do if I wanted to be a leader of any country.
He answered: “At the beginning you will polish their shoes…”
Then he started to sing that famous Latvian song “Lulu”. The song contains these words: “Es klīstu pa pasauli viens, man miera nav nekur. Pat putniem un zvēriem ir alas, bet man nav kur galviņu likt.” (“I have to wander through this world alone, I have no peace anywhere. Even the birds and the animals have their holes, but I have no place to lay my head.”)
Very close to what Jesus said: “The foxes have their holes and the birds have their nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head and rest.” /Matthew 8:20/
…When you stop to polish everyones shoes, this may happen – you may lose the place where to lay your head and where to rest. At the same time you are responsible for other people. You are the one who now has to take care of their ‘holes’ and their ‘nests’…
Finally as Winston Churschill put it: “Responsibility is the price of greatness.” So, let’s do great things in a great manner!
Thank you for this writing Sir. In fact, I’ve been trouble about this issue. It is absolutely not easy, to see people’s look when I have to say ‘no’ … Even trying to just be honest or loyal to my own soul … It is such subtle thing, learning to say ‘no’ to keep my soul just near the truth … Maybe I’m still young to distingush something subtle.. Thx for guding^.^ (From South Korea.)
Funny, when I read the title I was thinking, that it is easier to say NO to ourselves and YES to others.And was wondering if you would think so to. You do. Thank you for always expressing sentiments in a «wordly» manner where it might be hard for some to translate the feelings.
very enlightening
John Bunyan – TRAVEL OF THE CHRISTIAN TO ETERNITY BLESSED.
Chapter XXXIV : “Beautiful countered, pre-tastes of the sky – Transition from large river”.
I love this passage , because I know that my sword is invisible and that only my courage ally of my faith , and the sharing of love that I have given , will be the light of light that will allow me to mount and to cross the river in the joy . Know with confidence say no , and also say yes on the balance of justice of his soul in God And by God , may change things and the world .
The scars and celebrations, beyond human considerations :Follow the steps of the truth , in order to feel the universe and the soul of the world .
then the yes is easy and not is easy , even if they offers you the scars , even if sometimes you are “only” in the yes or the no , be itself in the SELF UNIVERSAL , for the love of any and all .
If each considered every thing , as being of itself , or as affecting him same (and there includes the substance of “do you like each other , as you even ) the world would otherwise ..
And i of countries (Among other things
) , or the i of the individual would be honored , and would regain the value original she had and that man has lost , in its misfortune , because with it has lost the flavor of “fiat voluntas tua” and “quaeso quaesumus quaesii” , and the sense of the love that each man search in him , and the sense of his quest on earth , and the sense of the values of his soul , and any finally , since, while derives …
…NO
…, i do not despair , since the hope is offered to everyone to know listen to his heart .(and also say no from the beginning for not say “no i did not know …” : it is a matter of the past , but also of the present , and this is all of us , now )
_____________I see the history as a fact established , that it can look at ( and therefore draw lessons !! ) , On the eternity of time , as a “thousand sheet” (a cake called “thousand sheet” ): the leaves of the time are supperposées and the facts also , it suffices to take retreat and to look at the thousand sheet to learn from him = and therefore know , understand , and beyond be itself in the yes and also in the non , faced with this knowledge , each must position itself to each thing (In his heart and soul , but also in the “common sense” of each thing thus participating in the humanity and the universe )
the universe has need of each , and everyone participates in the universe . each account therefore really , as it is; and as it is: its yes and its no also .
Then, let us be , exist , love : since being is exist , and do exist his yes or its not!! And God loves that we ourselves , and not a semblance of us , because because we even appears the “way” just and “voice” just ;-D
love and be happy if you are
Sido
____________________________________________
John Bunyan – VOYAGE DU CHRÉTIEN VERS L’ÉTERNITÉ BIENHEUREUSE.
Chapitre XXXIV :
“Belle contrée, avant-goûts du ciel – Passage du grand fleuve “.
J’aime beaucoup ce passage , parce que je sais que mon épée est invisible et que seul mon courage allié de ma foi , et le partage d’Amour que j’ai donné , seront les pas légers de lumière qui me permettront de monter et de traverser le fleuve dans l’allégresse . Savoir avec confiance dire non , et aussi dire oui sur la balance de la justice de son âme en Dieu et par Dieu , peut changer les choses et le monde . Les cicatrices et les réjouissances , au delà des considérations humaines : suivre les pas de LA vérité , afin de sentir l’univers et l’âme du monde .
alors le oui est facile et le non est facile , même si parfois ils vous offre des cicatrices , même si parfois vous êtes “seule” dans le oui ou le non , être soi dans le SOI UNIVERSEL , pour l’amour de tout et de tous .
si chacun considérait chaque chose , comme étant de lui même , ou comme l’affectant lui même (et là on comprend la substance de “aimez vous les uns les autres , comme vous même ) le monde tournerait autrement ..
et le i de pays , ou le i de l’individu serait honoré , et retrouverait la valeur originel qu’elle avait et que l’homme a perdu , pour son malheur , car avec il a perdu la saveur du “fiat voluntas tua ” et du “quaeso quaesumus quaesii” , et du sens de l’amour que chaque homme cheche en lui , et du sens de sa quête sur la terre , et du sens des valeurs de son âme , et de tout finalement , puisque tout en découle …
….NON…., je ne désespère pas , puisque l’espérance est offerte à chacun de savoir écouter son coeur .( et aussi de savoir dire non dès le début pour ne pas dire “non je ne savais pas …” : c’est affaire du passé , mais aussi du présent , et le présent c’est chacun d’entre nous , maintenant )
je vois l’histoire comme un fait établi , que l’on peut regarder ( et donc en tirer des leçons !! ) , sur l’éternité du temps , comme un “mille feuille ” (un gâteau appelé “mille feuille” ): les feuilles du temps sont supperposées et les faits aussi , il suffit juste de prendre du recul et de regarder le mille feuille pour apprendre de lui = et donc savoir , comprendre , et au delà être soi dans le oui et aussi dans le non , face à cette connaissance , chacun doit se positionner pour chaque chose (en son âme et conscience , mais aussi dans le “bon sens ” de chaque chose participant ainsi à l’humanité et à l’univers )
l’univers a besoin de chacun , et chacun participe à l’univers .
chacun compte donc vraiment , tel qu’il est ; et comme il est : son oui et son non aussi .
alors , soyons , existons , aimons : puisque être c’est exister , et faire exister son oui ou son non !!
Et Dieu aime que nous soyons nous-même , et pas un semblant de nous , car en étant nous même apparait la “voie” juste et la “voix” juste ;-D
I agree that we must (be able to)say No; to understand and follow our own paths in this life. However, I do not agree that scars are required or that it needs to be a fight. I truly believe that we can say No while still respecting each other & that we are all doing what we think and believe to be the best thing…understanding that each of us is human and became what we are today through fortune or misfortune. Yes we must stand up for what we believe in – but how can we then exclude those that don’t ‘fit’ with our beliefs in this statement? All we can really change is ourselves and I think that is where we must begin…with saying No, indeed.
Travel of the pilgrim – John BUNYAN
http://www.regard.eu.org/Livres.2/Voyage.du.pelerin/00.table.html
What is Absolute Evil? I met this expression for the first time in WSA, and saw it as a dark force coming into action when ‘the Angel of Light had turned into Absolute Evil’, each time the main character of the story goes ahead and ‘destroys a world’, with other words kills another human being. I remember a line that he was ‘an angel with a sad childhood’.
In the Pilgrimage there are some passages about a child with evil tendencies, which brought back to me a discussion I had with teacher students in a college I used to work. I asked; Are some children born Evil? a popular opinion we see in several Hollywood movies, for instance in; Rosemary’s baby. In fact the majority of the students believe some children could be born utterly evil from conception.
It was my task to convince them, this is not true. I am not going into the discussion about whether or not a person, child or adult, can be possessed by evil forces, I do believe this occurs in some rare occasions. But, I am hundred percent convinced there is not one single child born as an incarnation of evil. We all consist of good and evil forces, and have to work to bring the light forward in our self and in children.
The first things that came to my mind when I saw the line; ‘close one’s eyes to the misfortune of others’ is how most of us know of a child who is abused, or even an adult living in an abusive situation, and then we DO NOTHING. Statistically, we know in each single class room on this globe there is at least one, often three children being sexually abused. All those years a child is in school, all those days that child shows up, with all the signs he/she is abused, the one teacher after the other close their eyes, and abstain from reporting a suspicion of something wrong, which would cause an investigation, and perhaps eventually would bring this child help. It is the law in most countries to report such a suspicion. But no, we are cowards, we don’t know, we don’t want to interfere, we don’t want to risk ending up looking ridiculous in a case that cannot be proven.
For some years I worked with children with behavioral problems, who many would say ‘oh he is evil’, ‘that kid was evil from birth’, children who most of the time met only nagging and punishment and really, hatred. With my own eyes, I have established a relationship with children like this, and have with my own eyes seen how a little bit of friendly attention, can change these little “devils” into Angels of Light.
No, I do not believe in Absolute Evil as a final conclusion, I believe in Absolute Angels of Light.
Hi Heart,
thought of Alice Miller when I read your story. She wrote several books related to child-rearing and how it can affect the children:
The Drama of a Gifted Child, Banished Knowledge, and For Your Own Good (hidden cruelty in child-rearing and the roots of violence) are all great books. in the last one, she analyzes also hitler’s childhood.
Hug
-k
“The world has not the meaning of the value of a soul, that is why, often, the prince of darkness gets cheap.”
“You do not know the forces of evil; you do not know the power of the life of me; you do not know the power with which God holds head to one and the other. Without God you not armour you need, the sword to handle, the struggles to deliver, the crisis which awaits you, how the old man will be stripped and the new man bear, what lot you is assigned and what field of activity God prepares you.”
http://www.regard.eu.org/Livres.11/trple_secret_du_S_E/04.html
If you had ever been the victim of a sociopath/psychopath, you would believe in real evil. There are other ways of destroying lives that don’t include murder or sexual abuse. Ways a normal person can’t even contemplate. Once your heart, mind and spirit have been shredded for nothing more than amusement, you know evil exists and you are changed forever.
oUTLINING THE NEW REGIME.about the brave new world.
ITS mARDI-gRAS TO DAY!
XX
Saying ‘no’ has lost me my job and jeopardised my opportunity to further my career in that field, but I do not regret it. If only more people were willing to say no that would not have happened to me, but people sit back and become a slave to the system.
Being a ‘yes’ man is not something to boast, yet we are often criticised for standing up and roaring ‘no’. Let the suits know that we won’t accept indignity, injustice and illegal wars. Tony Blair and George W Bush should be imprisoned, yet both are earning more than they did as P.M. and president respectively.
Now is a time when I not often hear stories of bravery. Now is a time when I live only because I need to live. But most of the times I live because I am a warrior, and because one day I want to be in the company of Ou/Love in whose name I have fight so hard! So hard!
/Hope
We have missed you, beautiful Hope. Just by .. trying so hard you are … already there!
LOVE,
Thelma xxx
Hi Hope. Nice to see you back! Take care..
Hi Hope,
good hearing from you :o)
welcome back :o)
Big Hug
-k
As long as people feel the need to invoke the name of Adolph Hitler they will never be free.
Forgive him and let him go.
Forget him and everything that was done by his order.
Remembering him won’t make the world a better place. Forgetting him won’t make it a worse place.
If we must think about him, let’s think about him as a seven year old, laughing and playing.
We can all decide to love or hate fine without recalling Hitler.
So, I say NO more Hitler.
As long as people feel the need to invoke the name of Adolph Hitler …….
and forget the other genocides …..
…. they will never be free.
not forgiving, not forgetting is the point …
we need to understand what is behind this all ….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocides_in_history
http://www.ppu.org.uk/genocide/g_genocide_intro.html
Namaste to all victims
I really cannot believe what I’m reading here! Forgive him and forget him? He showed us how easy it is to manipulate people. He’s the prefect example for reminding us to always question what we see or hear! He is a major part of history that should have given us a lesson!
I always tell myself to forgive but not forget, but I think there are a few rare cases in which it is even hard to forgive!
And if you forget, you didn’t learn the lesson. Usually you learn from your own or other peoples mistakes!
If we forget anything good or bad, how can we make a change to the world?
PS: I always wonder how can a 7 year old, laughing and playing child become such a monster?!
PS #2: Just recently, I had a conversation about Hitler with a friend. He said that what happened because of Hitler was good. In the aftermath it freed most African countries! Ironically, I thought he’s right… somehow!
To stop being people pleasers we have to be honest with ourselves and work out what we truly think and feel. We should have the courage to be ourselves, no matter what; whether it is yes, no, yes, no, or whatever!
The quest for the sword: yes
the quest for the money: no
the quest for God: yes
the quest for “men”: no
the quest for the love: yes
the quest for the vanity: no
the pursuit of true values in God: yes
the quest where the money is a purpose: no
The quest is a path in the humility and love, because it is in the deletion human considerations to be found God who reveals –let us not forget. Then, even if the path and learning is necessary , the noble purpose must not be neglected …
What is the purpose? That search ? The path is the purpose , but the aim is not the purpose.
It is therefore this that we will put in the path that will be the fruit that we will reap, and who welcome our soul…
And oh how our soul will be rewarded for having made such a way , oh how rejoicing, oh how we will be filled of real wealth that God will give us profusion, oh how we will be bathed in its immense Love and so SWEET , and that a new wonderful road will be open to our eyes
OH THANK YOU FOR LEARNED TO SAY NO
(When we love , it must know say yes or no ; but in the truth … Be honest and true with other AND itself , is to love, love , so be already on a path of truth …and it’s a beginning…AND LOVE FAIR IS A GUIDE )
la quête de l’épée: oui
la quête pour l’argent: non
la quête de Dieu: oui
la quête des hommes: non
la quête de l’amour: oui
la quête de la vanité: non
la quête des vraies valeurs en Dieu: oui
la quête où l’argent est un but: non
la quête est un chemin dans l’humilité et l’amour,
car c’est dans l’effacement des considérations humaines que l’on trouve Dieu qui nous révèle …ne l’oublions pas.
alors , même si le chemin et l’apprentissage est nécessaire , le but noble ne doit pas en être négligé …
quel est le but ? que rechercher ? le chemin est le but , mais le but n’est pas le but .
c’est donc ce que nous mettrons dans le chemin qui seront les fruits que nous récolterons, et qui réjouiront notre âme…
et oh combien notre âme sera récompensée d’avoir fait un tel chemin , oh combien de réjouissance, oh combien nous serons comblés de vraies richesses que Dieu nous donnera à profusion, oh combien nous serons baignés dans son immense Amour et SI DOUX , et qu’un nouveau chemin merveilleux sera ouvert à nos yeux
OH MERCI DE M’AVOIR APPRIS A DIRE NON
(quand on aime , il faut savoir dire oui ou non ; mais en vérité… … être honnête et vrai avec les autres ET soi même , c’est s’aimer ET aimer , donc être déjà sur un chemin de vérité …c’est un début … ET AIMER JUSTE EST UN GUIDE )
“Life is without meaning.
You bring the meaning to it.
The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be.
Being alive is the meaning.” Joseph Campbell
Saying No , most of the time, reduces the obstacles of life.. and I learned this by experience…
sooooo true……..
While the post is inspiring and thought-provoking, I beleive that we should pause at the interpretation of “Absolute Evil.” Evil is abstract and it can mean different things to different people…humanity must reach consensus on its definition. Otherwise, we will continue to suffer from the political, religious, ideological and cultural conflicts that are marring our world today.
agree :o)
thank you natasha.
-k
The word no is what defines our boundaries to others. Of itself ‘no’ is neither good nor bad. As with so many things it is the use to which we put it that gives it shape. Those with healthy boundaries are good at saying no and we like to be around people with healthy boundaries because we know where we are with them.
So, the question I always ask myself when faced with the desire to say no is, ‘is this a reflection of my integrity in this moment, or is it a reflection of my fear?’ If it is the latter then it is to myself that I am saying no. If it is the former them it is a clear setting of a boundary that refelects my integrity.
Pretty true, now I say “Yes” to the importance of the “No”, in certain circumstances…Yes to the light, yes to friendship, yes to open mind, and no to hatred, no to joining bad company, no to vices. Just few examples…No to giving up at first adversity we face, for usually all is hard only in the beginning.
Much love
Alexandra
A wonderful passage, with so many gems. Thank you Paulo Coelho, once again, for making us think and .. proceed.
I always have a ‘noetic’[imaginative] circle around me, for protection, but also in order to keep my peace of mind. There is the LINE OF NO. It is the red line of my ethics, my conscience and my judgment of GOOD and EVIL. This is not the same of course, for every human being and there are many aspects and opinions of what is GOOD OR EVIL. But the Convention of HUMAN Rights is there and can be a guide for us and our decisions. There is also the ultimate Law: Do not do to others what you do not want others do to you.
Ulysses had put ‘cotton wool’ in the ears of his men and he asked them to tie him, so that they would not BE TEMPTED and he, would not yield to the Temptation of the sweet song of the Sirens.. We just have to continue our .. inward and upward Journey having always ‘Ithaca’ in mind.
LOVE,
Thelma xxx
right
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n3n2Ox4Yfk
Yes is not just a simple yes, it may have a world of mining and interpretation behind it.So we see NO makes life much easier.
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