Yes-itis is the chronic inclination of community activists to always say “Yes” to volunteering, committing, assisting, attending, donating, joining or engaging in multiple community activities/initiatives in unrealistic ways. This chronic condition results in commitment overload, broken promises, lack of proper planning, poor attendance and participation, poor time management (especially lack of punctuality), scattered energy, lack of focus, family problems and hypertensive inclinations.

What are the causes of Yesitis?

• High degree of consciousness and a strong commitment to the struggle for the liberation of Afrikan people
• Realization of urgency of community crisis and the consciousness about wanting to do something meaningful
• Intensive, creative, high energy personality, a racing mind
• Often unrealistic levels of confidence in the ability to get positive results from action
• Eagerness to not disappoint others
• Ego
• Impatience
• Poor meditation/relaxation techniques

What is the impact of Yesitis?

• Elevated blood pressure levels
• Development of health issues (insomnia, poor dietary habits, ulcers, weight problems –over/underweight, emotional edginess/depressive inclinations, etc)
• Damaged personal relationships because of inevitable disappointments
• Uneven work performance (poor planning, lack of appropriate attention to details, lack of sufficient time to complete important tasks, etc)
• Frustration/sense of unfulfilled purpose
• Damaged community reputation – reliability, punctuality, etc
• Uneven community leadership and wasted potential
• Spirit imbalance

How does one treat Yes-itis?

• Talk about your condition with colleagues/friends who are sensitive and understanding;
• Develop a realistic management plan and stick to it:
• Address health issues with discipline and seriousness
• Develop better time-management techniques that are practical and realistic
• Drastically revamp community commitments
• Make your family a priority and let everyone know it. Identify off-limit family times and stick to it;
• Start your day right: libations, meditation and calm reflection before starting out;
• Slow down;
• Focus on breathing right: long, deep breaths with attention to your chakras;
• Say “No” more often, with the firmness, gentleness and respect it deserves;
• Identify and recommend others in your circle who might have more time to attend to some of the things you would like to assist with;
• Exercise hard at least 45 minutes each day;
• Do the right things you know you need to do with your eating habits – leafy greens, fresh fruit, water, whole grains, unprocessed food, little/no meat. Include healthy doses of nature’s herbs as well;
• Work always on developing the Geru Ma’at within you (According to the Afrikans of KMT the Geru Ma’at is the truly self mastered - Calm, intense, humble, peaceful, principled, patient, controlled, loving and focused);
• Get more sleep;
• Laugh more.

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