So,
We know about setting boundaries,
But what about maintaining them?
When we built our boundaries,
Our wall,
Did we leave any cracks?
Can the wall be climbed up and over?
Or maybe we wrote down the passcode to the titanium doors and left it where it could be found.
It's okay to have a vulnerable boundary.
It's just about how we deal with the pressure,
The tension,
Or the pushback.
It's about how we turn to ourselves and trust that what we said is best for us,
Is.
Dear friend,
This is an invitation to practice joining your intuitive inner voice with your outer one through mindful breathing and a focused reflection.
Let's prepare for our practice by setting our foundation.
So you could be seated upright,
Or you could be lying down,
Perhaps becoming aware of the environment around you,
Noticing any walls if you're indoors,
Or any structures if you're outside,
Allowing your face and shoulders to soften and your hips to become heavy.
Take a moment to find your breath.
Without controlling or manipulating the breath,
Simply observe the rise and fall of the body.
Feel how far the belly expands on your inhale,
And how close the belly moves towards the spine on the exhale.
Maybe noticing what it's like to have a body.
Perhaps tracing the body with your mind's eye.
Tracing the boundaries of the body.
And shifting your attention back to the breath.
Again,
Without changing anything,
Begin to savour the inhale of the breath,
And taste the exhale of the breath.
If your mind begins to share stories or thoughts,
Simply note it and return back to the breath.
Welcoming in this contemplation,
I invite you to bring to mind a boundary that is a little vulnerable.
There's a few cracks in this wall.
Try not to overthink it.
It could be what came to mind first.
Once you have a boundary,
Bring to mind the reason why you set this boundary in the first place.
How does it feel to preserve yourself,
Your well-being?
Maybe noticing what emotions arise here.
Not getting too caught up in them,
But just softly observing them.
And maybe bringing to mind how you could strengthen this boundary.
It doesn't have to be big.
Becoming aware of how your life could improve with this stronger boundary.
And simply noting any emotions that arise here.
Allowing any thoughts or stories to quietly fade.
Shifting your awareness back into the body.
Finding a deep inhale through the nose.
And on the exhale,
Find ease in the body.
Once again,
Taking an in-breath.
And letting go on the out-breath.
One more,
Inhale,
Belly expands.
And on the exhale,
Releasing.
And letting your breath return to its natural pace.
Maybe letting a smile form on your lips.
Maybe even a hug of your body.
If your eyes were closed,
Maybe allowing them to open.
Shifting your gaze to any walls around you,
Any structures.
Gently re-entering to the space around you.
It can be such a challenge to trust ourselves,
Especially when we're not 100% sure of our boundaries.
Speaking up for ourselves can be scary,
But when we turn to the wisdom within our bodies and that intuitive inner voice,
We are one step closer to building a stronger and more durable boundary.
Take care.
