- Freedom to live our own lives isn’t easily come by. Especially when you’ve been the “go to” person for everyone in your life, when you’ve been the one they’ve all counted on. To suddenly change course and carve out some time for yourself reeks of selfishness.
But it’s really quite selfless.
If you are doing the best you can for the people in your life, you have not only have a right but you have an obligation to yourself to place some “soft” boundaries around your life. Not in a vindictive manner, but in a way that lets you breathe and maintain some balance. In a way that lets you pursue your own interests without feeling guilty.
Easier said than done, right? Because:
Most of us have a hard time putting ourselves first.
It’s hard to carve out some time for ourselves. We’re acutely aware of the Biblical injunction to love others and we assume that means we never put ourselves first. We forget the times Christ walked away from the crowds to re-group. And he never apologized.
We forget how Christ didn’t apologize to the rich young ruler and how he walked away because the young man refused to listen. If Christ who is love can do that, we need to learn how too.
It’s good for the people in our lives, too. Sometimes we rush to the rescue too soon and we take away their opportunity to grow. When we give space to others to make their own decisions and live their own lives, they need less from us. Its a win, win.
Exercise the freedom to live your life while giving others the same courtesy. It makes life easier all around.
God bless and I hope you have a good day.
