Thoughtful Thursday & Crossing Boundaries
ON THE BLOG
CROSSING BOUNDARIES
This month in my Seasons of Joy Community I have been talking about boundaries.
An emotional boundary is much like a property boundary--it delineates where one person ends and another one begins.
It is a way of "drawing a circle" around our behavior and ourselves.
Boundaries are something we put in place for self protection.
We make a request of another person and then we decided what we will do if they don't honor our request.
Healthy boundaries promote self responsibility and empowerment which create closer relationships with others.
Having a boundary conversation can be uncomfortable when we are the one creating the boundaries.
However, it can be just as challenging when we are the one who crosses a boundary issue.
We can become defensive or think shameful thoughts about ourselves.
Either way, we create a lot of drama for ourselves and the situation.
What if there is another way to look at it--another perspective?
It takes a lot of courage for someone to share their truth with you.
This is challenging and vulnerable.
The fact that someone was able to do so says a lot about how much they value the relationship.
More courage is required to set a boundary than to cut someone out of your life, or harbor resentment.
What if it is a gift when someone shares a boundary with you?
Having this perspective can help us have compassion for all of the imperfect humans in our life.
Most of us are doing the best we can and sometimes we step on toes and cross boundaries.
It just happens and it’s ok.
Let’s not overthink it or overanalyze it.
Let’s just try to do better.
Boundaries aren’t easy but they are beautiful tools that can strengthen our relationships and create greater connection and intimacy with those we love.
They don’t keep people out of our lives–they simply keep our important spaces safe.
Listen to this week's podcast episode by clicking on the link below to learn more about what boundaries are and what they are not, and how to create them.
