When you respect who you are, you give yourself a solid base for action. But that can be a tall order for many folks in today’s world.
We put a lot of energy into comparing ourselves to others. Does that sound familiar? And how often do you feel like you come up short?
Stillness helps, often. So I’d like to invite you, today, to find time to savor some quiet as the old year ends and a new one is about to begin. It’s a wonderful gift to give yourself. And in the quiet, I invite you to create the space to appreciate and respect who you are.
Quiet time…
Earlier this week, as the waning sun’s light burnished the winter treetops golden outside my window, I was enjoying the twilight moment. When I started clearing up some files on the bookshelf behind my desk I came upon three quotations. I shared them in a previous post, but they’re so helpful I want to share them again:
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. Dr. Seuss
Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself. Abraham Joshua Heschel
I am only one; but still I am one. If I cannot do everything, I still can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do. Helen Keller
I love how things emerge from quiet moments. And what a rich smorgasbord of wisdom to consider and let into your life. Reflecting on these quotes again, I’m interested to see that each insight actually relates to boundaries.
Let’s start exploring with that first quotation from Dr. Seuss, about finding time to be yourself. What does that have to do with boundaries, you might ask?
Respect who you are with boundaries…
Well, what I would say is that the more comfortable you are with your boundaries, the more at ease and confident you’re going to be with sharing yourself, your ideas, and your feelings with other people. That’s because when you have good, strong boundaries, you know that you are okay, no matter what. Right to your core, you respect who you are and accept yourself fully.
Boundaries tell you where you end and the other person begins. So, when your boundaries are strong and clear, you know that another person’s feeling or opinion about you is theirs and really says nothing about you. Secure in yourself, you can share authentically and allow others the space to share in the same way.
It’s a misconception to think of boundaries as barriers. In reality, knowing yourself and your boundaries frees you to relate much more openly.
Want more help with your boundaries?
Setting and maintaining boundaries is a skill that makes everything else in your life possible. And it’s a difficult challenge for lots of smart, motivated people. People like you.
“Your Secret Power: How to Honor Your Time and Claim Your Space with Boundaries” gently steers you to a more profound understanding of where and how your boundary-setting efforts get short-circuited. Not only that, but it helps you establish the boundaries you need to unlock the door to your freedom. Boundary-setting is a skill that’s learnable, doable and definitely within your reach. And the strategies, tips and exercises in “Your Secret Power” help you discover how to:
- Set and maintain boundaries to enhance your productivity and, yes, make more money;
- Recharge your energy so you have the time and freedom to do what you value and what you’d like to do in your life; and
- Learn how to say no, which opens the door to your next big Yes.
Ready to start using boundaries to maximize your time and energy? Click the link below to learn more about this transformative time tool and the bonuses that come with it:
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