Be Kind : Draw the Line
BY LAUREN REITSEMA AND JONEEN MACKENZIE
Press your luck , push the limit , stop at nothing . These powerful , and often motivating , soundbites permeate through society as pro-tips for accomplishing that next big thing . Pushing limits sometimes leads to breakthrough . When it comes to relationships , however , pushing limits often leads to breaking points . Boundaries can feel stifling and somewhat arbitrary ; however , they play a critical role in establishing and nurturing connection . Learning to draw boundary lines , and committing to honor them , lays a foundation for freedom and safety in all your relationships . Consider this example from a deck remodeling project we took on years ago .
We grew up in a house nested in the foothills of Colorado ’ s Rocky Mountains , with views of snow-capped peaks and wildflower meadows . Herds of elk bugled outside our kitchen window in the morning , and porcupines squealed beneath the deck . We