Acceptance brings boundaries
Acceptance brings boundaries
lessons from the playground
Can anyone recall coming home and telling their parents about a boy or girl in school who did not share their toy or saying something nasty to you, to get the reply, "Well then stop playing with them, or stay away from them" (the most dramatic and impossible words to hear as a child)
Whereas, in fact, could our parents have been teaching us about instilling boundaries at such a young age?
Fast forward to today, and what if someone was unkind or treating us badly, would we still feel like that young child desperate for friends to allow this behavior to continue? Or would we be brave enough to stand up for ourselves and know our worth to walk away?
Sadly, this does not only apply to mean kids in the playground or in the workplace; it can also apply to our closest friends and family too.
The self-awareness of how each of us acts or behaves and speak does not come easy, and to some, it may not come at all. Yes, none of us are perfect, but from time to time, we will encounter people in our lives that cannot see fault or wrongdoing in anything to say or do, as much as it may irritate or annoy us, unless they become aware or are made aware of this, there is little chance of change.
If, in fact, the ego is powerful and strong, even once made aware, some see no wrong in it and will have a good reason for carrying on regardless.
Now we all have annoying little habits that not everyone will like, chewing food with mouth open, loud snoring, or the clicking of knuckles.
Not cause for too much concern, I am talking about their treatment of others or how they speak and communicate, or perhaps constant signs of unkindness and behaving badly.
To show growth within ourselves, we have choices to accept and put up with it once it does not hurt or affect us.
Instilling boundaries and the time we spend around them will reduce the annoyance.
Or, in fact, walk away and distance yourself completely, allowing them to perhaps come to this awareness themselves.
How quickly will this come, or will it ever be?
We have no control over it, but what we do is the power to remove ourselves to save any irritation or hurt.
There is a saying by William Glasser ~ "While it is possible that we know what's right for others, unless they agree with us, trying to force this knowledge on them is usually a disaster”
This brings acceptance, to accept you see things differently, accept there will be little change, and accept in yourself you deserve better, but also an acceptance that people are how they are, including ourselves.
To bring growth, we must look within, find our own flaws and possible lower self, and work to improve ourselves each day.
And for those who wish to be ignorant and stagnant in becoming a better version of themselves, well, let them play with their toys and leave them to it and take a break from the playground.
As always, thanks for reading.
Marcus.