Learning to say NO, Musing by Sheila

I was enjoying the sounds of the trickling water cascading down the rocks and taking in the beauty of the majestic mountains appreciating having no urgency to be anywhere other than where I was at the moment, when I heard a woman gaining speed behind me singing, ‘No, no, no, no, no you’re not the one for me.’ She was hightailing it with earplugs in and it put a smile on my face. My leisurely pace has been known to put some people into an exasperated pant, so I was taking note that my new lifestyle has successfully slowed me down a few notches and I was pleased. She struck up a conversation as she approached and soon I had to start pushing myself to keep up to stay engaged. Funny thing is, I didn’t really want to, yet I felt pressured based on her expounding her gratitude more than once for having someone to walk with as it really helped her keep up her pace… as did the music. She scoffed as she relayed that her friend who usually walks with her enjoys the sounds of nature. Of course that is exactly what I like and I was content with my own pace, beauty, solitude and the noodling of some juicy new creative ideas before she came along. I chucked all of that to please a stranger all because she thanked me in advance for my companionship. How could I let her down now? She was being grateful, how could I as a self proclaimed grateful goddess turn my back on her? I also had to marvel at her salesmanship in the ‘assumptive close’ never asking me if I wanted a walking buddy, simply thanking me for filling the role.

So the question remains…
Why did I feel the obligation to put her needs ahead of mine?
Do you find yourself doing things for others that do not suit your style or needs at the time?
Do you have a tip or rule you use of how much you sacrifice of yourself for the service of others?

I would love to hear how you balance living in gratitude and being of service to others while caring for your own needs. Jot your thoughts below.