Just Say No

A multiplex opened recently and we friends decided that we must visit it. One day we planned to catch a movie that had won accolades and was going great guns. In spite of the rush, we managed to get 10 tickets and with the popcorn in the hands, we sat down to watch the greatest movie. But as the movie progressed I felt it was not great because it did not suit my taste. It did not appeal to me since I had watched too many in the same genre and looked around to catch any eyes which gazed away from the screen. Alas, I was the only one and this ashamed me. But somehow I managed to sleep through the movie.

The movie got over and I did manage to get up before it. We friends got into the car and it was time for each to comment on the movie. Each one exclaimed that it was an excellent movie and that it was well made. And if you are guessing what I said, then here is the answer. I said I slept through the movie and it did not appeal to me. My friend who was in the driver's seat applied brakes all of a sudden as she heard me. All of them asked in unison whether I was just joking? I replied NO, and said that I did not like the movie.

I think you could have guessed what had happened after it. I was ridiculed for having such a poor taste, made to feel embarrassed at the lack of appreciation skills and made to think the world has ended when I said that I did not like the movie. In short, I was made to feel small.

I did not utter the word NO, because I wanted to shoot to fame. I honestly did not like it, and this does not mean that one that the movie or director is bad. It simply means that I did not like it. And if you thought did I feel bad when I heard those comments, my answer would again be in the negative. I felt happy for I never knew that my friends considered my views to be important than their own or even the reviews or anybody else's! Maybe I can become a critique!!!

I am a very curious person. As a result, the moment I got my blog I wanted to know if anything in the world happened which was called Just Say No. My search was to find out if there were any traces in the world’s history which dealt with Just Say No. Voila, my first hit gave me all answers. Just Say No was a campaign, a very prominent one in the United States of America. It was a campaign which was to discourage children from taking the path of drugs. It was started in the 1980s and was prominent till early 1990s. It was started by the then First Lady Nancy Reagan. This campaign against drug abuse took the world by the storm.
         I wanted my first post, to create awareness and this is the most apt topic. Why should a person take drugs? The reason offered is that one would be transported to paradise. I wonder how people could take drugs when they know that it will kill them over time. It is a simple reason, many are pressurized and they do not have the courage to say NO. The campaign aimed at encouraging students to tell no, when they were offered drugs and it was a big hit since drug use and abuse was drastically reduced during the Reagan's rule. I want this article to dissuade people from taking drugs and make them bold enough to tell that two letter word. I would tell NO when I am persuaded to take drugs, then why don't you too?

Daabi, Voch, Che, Aga, Jani, Enna, Ayi, Non, Mola, Kus. Did these words make any sense to you? Do you think I am writing in another language other than English? I know your mind must be racing to find what this blog is all about! All these words just translate to one small word in English which has great power. This word has changed the lives of people forever. It has inspired many people and inspired a few more to end their lives. I think you must have realized about the power of this small word and even guessed the word. It is NO.
                Each human being has a different perception for No. If you ask a 2 year old child, it would mean disappointment since NO means he does not get what he wants. If you ask an elementary school teacher, it juts means opposite to yes. Quiz an environment activist, and the first thought in his mind regarding NO would be no to plastic in the best interest of the environment. This way each one of us has a different view, and this blog aims to discuss all about it. It will debate whether NO is a positive or a negative word, the circumstances where it is necessity, the reason why NO is the most powerful word and lots more. Just Say No will be a blog which will entertain readers and I will strive to be as creative as possible since I do not want my readers to say NO to this blog!!

Just Say No is a personal blog written and edited by me. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. This blog accepts some forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog.

Thank you for reading
Jason Owen