Saying No No in a Yes Yes World

In January 1975, Ringo Starr released his version of the No No Song. In the song, a man rejects offers of drugs and drinks, saying, “No, no, no, no, I don’t take it no more, I’m tired of waking up on the floor.” Sounds like a excellent lesson in boundaries to me!

The 70s were definitely a yes, yes time with big social changes coming out of the 60s counter-culture. But as experience has taught us, living in a yes-yes world has consequences: addiction, losing ourselves in a sea of people-pleasing activities, and abandoning our spiritual faith.

Countermeasures to counter-culture began with the “Just Say No” campaign in 1982. Today, we focus on mental health and self-care, and we talk about setting boundaries. Feeling stressed, resentful, and trying to avoid people or social situations are signs we need to work on boundaries.

Boundaries are not just a set of imaginary rules to impose on people, but guidelines that protect your health and mental well-being. Boundaries are not about other people; they are about you! I found two great articles to help you get started: verywellmind talks about, “The Importance of Setting Boundaries for Mental Health,” and Psychology Today explains, “Why Boundaries Are Essential Self-Care.”

Is it surprising to know that the Bible encourages us to set boundaries? Matthew 5:37 says, “Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.” This means don’t make promises you can’t keep and don’t allow yourself to be manipulated by other people’s agendas.

Get help in saying no by saying yes to God. Because God loves you with an everlasting love, you are free from people-pleasing pressures. Did you know Jesus is saying yes to all the promises of God on your behalf, right now, from His place in Heaven? 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “The yes to all of God’s promises is in Christ, and through Christ we say yes to the glory of God.”

Fun Fact: In a live version of the No No Song performed in 2001, Ringo introduces it by saying, “The sentiment of this next song is the sole reason I’m up here tonight…”