There are multiple times in my life that the word no has been spouted very clearly to me.

No! You can’t have that Hot Wheels car. No! You can’t stay up late. No! You can’t have that diesel truck. No! You are not a good person for this job. No! I will not go out with you on a date.

This word is an ever-present reality in my day to day life. It has been a guiding factor in my pursuit of happiness and where I have ended up in life. I would never have gotten where I am today without that gloriously painful, two letter word. Needless to say, I still don't feel as though I have arrived. I am sure this verbal escort will continue to plague me with its presence.