BOUNDRIES:

~

We cannot simultaneously set a boundary and take care of another person’s
feelings. It’s impossible; the two acts contradict.

What a tremendous asset to have compassion for others! How difficult that
same quality can make it to set boundaries!

It’s good to care about other people and their feelings, it’s essential to
care about ourselves too. Sometimes, to take good care of ourselves, we need
to make a choice.

Some of us live with a deeply ingrained message from our family, or our
church, about never hurting other people’s feelings. We can replace that
message with a new one, one that says it’s not okay to hurt ourselves.
Sometimes, when we take care of ourselves, others will react with hurt
feelings.

That’s okay. We will learn, grow, and benefit by the experience; they will
too. The most powerful and positive impact we can have on other people is
accomplished by taking responsibility for ourselves, and allowing others to be
responsible for themselves.

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