Leaving childhood behind, we enter adult years believing everyone will be respectful of the lives we create for ourselves. We're kind enough to wish them well ... whether we understand their choices or not ... and we're sure they'll extend the same courtesy to us.
What a fantasy.
Friends and relatives ... maybe especially relatives ... will often mistake our kindness for weakness, and force their personal agendas into the center of our world, with little or no regard for our own needs.
When we finally see the necessity of placing boundaries around our private space, it's almost always too late.
Once people feel entitled to invade our lives at their convenience, any change of rules will be met by anger and hostility.
I'm blessed with many friends and family members who have remained understanding and loyal through good times and bad.
Only a few cherished loved ones have presented a threat to my health and peace of mind, and while I still love them very much, it's now from a cautious distance.
Today, my life moves forward ...
filled with quiet happiness and gratitude ...
protected by safe boundaries.
contact: MelindaGerner@yahoo.com
