No Way
Tell it like it is
We don’t want to get a no as an answer. Or, do we? In our communication there are lots of yesses we make shine as bright as billboards on a main road. But oh so often a yes does not mean a yes, but simply avoids saying a no.
Here’s a high praise to the art of saying no, for while it may feel harsch in the moment, it opens up routes of new possibility. It get’s rid of mind-junk and allows you to focus your energy at where it’s really happening.
Chapters:
- 00:00:00 Intro
- 00:00:26 No Way – Solo
- 00:02:48 A life worth living
- 00:09:37 No Way (Remix)
- 00:12:58 Outro
Transcript
No Way
A clear No
When was the last time I got that
A No to set a boundary
Express dislike
A No to clear the air
To lead from illusion
To what is actually there
Instead so many covers
Of shapes and forms so blooming wild
Oh yes but – not just right now
I’m all so busy now, you know
That would be nice, I will consider
Was the last I ever heard
Its so important to me
But other things are more important now
A smile, a hug
The Judas Kiss
Before the dagger in my heart
The lovely rose you hand me
All smiles and oh so from your heart
That really smells like fart
Alas, a No
I go my way
And what else can I
But all my praises
That I know
All my praises
For a clear No
A life worth living
I once read this David Bowie quote where he said something along the lines of ”Be frank with people, it saves you a lot of time“. Which can be harsh as we might hurt other peoples feelings and don’t we all want to be loved and not be rejected as the insensitive, egotistic person? But then again, being on the receiving end of this, sometimes people don’t say no at all where they feel they should, because of shame or fear or cunning or who knows what. I once started a telemarketing company, and in the early days I’ve spent my time calling up people trying to sell them this or that. The most tiring people to talk with where the ones that could not say no. They were holding the line and going along through lengthy conversations while never revealing that they actually didn’t want to buy anything. What a waste of time and energy for both of us!
Whether we want it or not, this unwillingness to speak your truth creates a facade – an appearance of something that is not. And often, if we’re honest, this is what we want. We want the other person to be happy, we don’t want to disappoint them, we try to avoid an imagined conflict, we want to be liked, we’re afraid of the consequences, whatever – while secretly wishing to just tell it like is. We’re being drawn into a tiring game of avoidance and pretense. And people around us see a version of ourselves that isn’t real.
Now psychology claims that lying is a fundamental human trait across all cultures, rooted in our evolution and our will to survive. So it is part of human nature, part of our human experience. This means we should see and view it with a bit of an understanding that we’ve all been there and done that. In that regard there is no such thing as a moral high ground. Sometimes it is a good thing to lie. ”How do I look today, darling?“ Now if I came back with: ”Just like any other day, sweetheart“, it might be a true statement, but it may not produce the kind of bond I want to have with my sweetheart.
But we would err greatly if we concluded that therefore it is okay and no big deal to lie. Because lies introduce a treacherous double-ground into life that is the cause for so much suffering we experience and send others into, and eventually ourselves. Even though our minds tend to find all kinds of reasons why this is not the case at all.
Most of all though, not being honest robs me of the experience of how life could feel like if I followed this instance inside my self that despite of all my questions seems to know which way to go. Doing that isn’t always straightforward, but if I allow myself the time and space to really listen to my self, it usually becomes very clear. This is this instance we sometimes call conscience. So, if I dare to step towards this fear of rejection and speak my truth, it may lead me into trouble. But generally, I will experience that I am a more authentic version of myself and that I am connecting with people and events that are much more in resonance with me, with who I am. Then life can start to feel amazingly different.
For this kind of honesty and clarity in communication creates a resonance in my life. If I’m only saying yes when I mean yes and no when I mean no, it shapes the social structure I am in. I become visible as a person, as a character, and this means I am building connections with people that are in resonance with who I am. Which is one of the ingredients for a happier life. It leads me into a life where I feel like I have lived my own life and not pretended to be someone else. And, Bowie was right, it probably saves a lot of time. Time that is better spent on things and people I really love.
Outro:
This is the end, beautiful friend. This is the end. And there’s no way this podcast is going to continue, at least not this episode. There will be another one, and it’s already in the pipeline. And I want to thank you, really do, for listening to this podcast. And as always, if you like it, share it with friends. If you don’t like it, maybe send me a comment and help me to make something better, be bold. My name is Laughing Brook. I’m a poet, a dancer, a mystic, a man whisperer. Thanks for listening and keep on flowing, bumping and jumping with the stream of life.
©️ Laughing Brook/Peter Müller 2026
