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Alicia Keys: 5 Things Egypt Taught Me

iVillage's Guest Editor shares how being Mom to 2-year-old Egypt has changed everything from her relationship with her own mom to how she prioritizes her time. (6 Photos)

-iVillage on Oct 27, 2012 at 10:46PM

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(Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup) via AP IMAGES

It's Okay to Say No

"I have become more focused and clear about what I will say yes to and what I won't. And that's a sense of empowerment, too, to make your own choice. I think for many years I was so worried about offending people, or not showing up for people, or will they be angry with me, or I have to do as much as I can because I may never have this chance again and all these games and mind things that we play on ourselves -- and people prey on us with that. I didn't think this was an option. And recently I have the clarity to say, "This is really great. Is it worth sacrificing the time that I'll have with my family?" And sometimes it is and my family says, "Yes, go. You have to. That's amazing." And sometimes it's not."