Our Need For Healthy Boundaries

My first trip to Australia was about 20 years ago. Given it was a business trip, I did not have a lot of free time on my hands, but one night my colleague and I decided to play tourist and like all good tourists to Sydney do, we set out to the famed Opera House.

My colleague who was a little more cautious than I am was more than content to view it from the outside.

Even though we did not have tickets to the performance, I needed to go in and explore.

I bounded up the steps with my colleague and without hesitation went through the doors.

We did not make it far when we were approached by a staff member and security guard who asked for our tickets? I quickly learned that not having a ticket to that night's performance and telling them we were just curious tourists looking around meant we would have to leave.

My colleague was relieved but I was undeterred. I did not know if I would ever make it back to Sydney and was still curious about the inside of the Opera House.

Much to my delight, after a few minutes of looking, I found another stairway that led to an open door. Seizing this opportunity and to the dismay of my colleague, I descended the stairs.

After a few minutes not only did I find myself in what seemed to be a costume room, but also face-to-face with the same security guard who asked me to leave the first time.

This time he was a bit more stern and told me "sir if you violate the boundaries again, I will be forced to call for the police." Not wanting to be in the center of an international incident, I nodded my head, apologized, and then proceeded to take in the Opera House and all of its grandeur from the outside.

While I look back at this story and laugh, it does remind me of something that we all need in our lives . . . boundaries.

The security guard did not tell me to balance, integrate or harmonize, he told me not to "violate the boundary". A boundary is more established and permanent.

Boundaries are most often established to keep us healthy, protect our emotional and mental well-being and allow us to bring the best of ourselves to the various parts of our lives.

When boundaries are not established, it leaves us tired, burned out, and with little left in the tank.

If you have not done so, begin the process of establishing boundaries. Define those things you will give yourself to and the things you won't.

You will find that when you establish boundaries and live by them, you will be healthier and life becomes so much more fulfilling and enjoyable.

On the journey with you,

Carlos

This edition was first published in The Life Design Newsletter on LinkedIn.