We all have limits on our days don't we? We can't go to every event we are invited to. We can't develop a friendship with every person we think is nice. We can't give our whole heart to every good cause in the world that needs a champion, can we?
To be alive is to have a relationship with our word of the week: boundaries.
Boundary: a real or imagined line that marks the edge or limit of something.
Conversations about boundaries are everywhere these days. Folks speak of setting boundaries around their availability for a meeting. Folks set boundaries around unsafe relationships, or even around "me time" or "family time." Such intention setting conversations are full of intensity and courage and lots of planning.
But here's the thing I've been thinking about boundaries: the human experience naturally comes with built in boundaries (that we aren't in charge of).
For isn't it true? We all have only 24 hours in a day.
For isn't it true? We all have only so many days alive on planet earth?
For isn't it true? We only are a certain age in a moment in time once?
Boundaries.
And these boundaries, I think, help you become more of who your Creator created you to be in the first place.
I heard a fascinating conversation this week on a podcast about the difference between overachieving and high achieving. To be a high achiever is to work hard, set big goals for yourself and do your best to meet them (a wonderful place to be about something you care about).
But to be an overachiever is to do all of that + all the extra to ensure success even if you are drained and depleted in the process.
I've been thinking about that a lot since -- seeing boundaries as gifts.
So this week, I want you to think about this: what boundaries has your life given you naturally in this season? How can these natural boundaries be teachers for you about what you need to do and what you don't need to do?
Maybe there's room in your life right now for someone new in your inner circle (maybe there isn't).
Maybe a new opportunity to serve at a charity now deserves a huge "Yes!" (maybe it doesn't).
Maybe connecting with your family looks like weekly or daily check-ins (maybe it doesn't).
Do you get what I'm saying? Notice the boundaries in your particular life. Boundaries are already there! And then let them give you permission to be human.
XO
Elizabeth
P.S. In my new website re-design, my tagline under my name is this: "Pastor. Author. Aspiring Underachiever." Folks have asked me what I meant by that? Well, it's all about this conversation around boundaries. For years, I've had my feet planted fully in the "overachiever camp" doing more than I should just because I could. But these days, I'm craving the slower pace of things, and being human. If this resonates with you, I'd love to keep chatting. It's one of my favorite conversations!
