Setting, and keeping, healthy boundaries is a vital way to survive this strange modern world.  Boundaries have always been important to realize for every individual.  This is especially so in transitional times when war, violence, illness, AI, climate change, pollution, mental health neglect, and random storms of negative energy spin across the world causing devastation.  In the heat of all of this, it’s crucial to teach children about perspective and peace as you go about your daily life lessons.

Only yesterday, we had such a lesson thrown at us as young neighbours were presented with a choice of becoming ‘hoodlums’ or being creative people who can peacefully entertain themselves on their own property.  I was folding laundry and looked out at our flowers.  Watching the group of children choose to be negative was disheartening and created more unsafe conditions for the world.  The eldest was the leader and responsible for the care of several young ones.  This is why being a follower is not a good idea.  Think for yourself.  (Ironically, their family runs a daycare.)  Vandalism and rule breaking are misguided ways of asking for external acceptance.  Why seek it at all, in any form, if you lovingly accept yourself?  There are positive ways to be a part of a community if you feel excluded in your life.  Helping others by volunteering is one way.

Children thrive in a gentle structure.  Saying a simple ‘no’ to dangerous ideas shows that you care about their safety, their effects, and their evolving character.  Although illegal, the neighbour children’s mistake was the least of the day’s stress, and their source of inspiration was obvious.  What is that strange phrase, “Like father, like son”?  Children absorb.  Be careful what you send out.  Talk with children calmly about issues instead of yelling.  Suggesting alternative scenarios helps to prevent similar  issues.  Emotional health requires daily attention.  Boredom is often the thing that comes before trouble.  The only thing I’m ever bored of is violence.  I wish it wasn’t so predictable.  I don’t know how anyone can be truly bored for want of fun.  Use your endless imagination.  At the very least, be neutral.  The word ‘sorry’ has lost all meaning from a history of insincere use.  Live peace.  Prevent ripples of negativity by not sending them out.  Plant seeds of goodness instead.

Where does it all begin?  It is often said that everything is generational, but you don’t have to be the product of your environment.  Babies are not born violent.  They are love energy.  Every generation is responsible for replacing ‘inherited’ negativity with healthy, peaceful lifestyles.  Even if those who surround you are violent, you can choose not to be.  Hate breeds hate.  Violence creates more.  Wars ensue.  But if you choose peace each moment, and teach peace, you can inspire more positive mindsets and actions with yours.  It’s sad to watch young ones follow engrained paths of negativity.  Hop off of that path.  Everyone can choose for themselves, at any point.  Be free of other people’s cloaks of anger and denial.  They are not yours.

You were born from the universe.  You are love.  Think big.  Zoom out.  How do your thoughts, words, and actions affect your entire life?  How do they affect your family and neighbours?  Your children?  How do you affect the earth?  Track the patterns.  Respond, don’t react.  You have the choice of setting healthy boundaries to keep yourself safe.  Don’t be threatened.  Say no.  Stand up for yourself.  Report abuse.  The world needs to be a bully-free zone.  Peace is possible through self-exploration, health education, and the teachings and practices of neutral communication.  Respect and empathy are a relief to our world, an often cowardly world who lashes out before thinking.  Be brave and confront reality.  Inspect your mind.  Trace the threads of negativity.  Where are they coming from?  Cut the cords of violence.  Communicate new paths for your brain to learn and use first…and always.

You choose.  You are responsible for yourself.  Heal.  Let go.  Be free.

It’s been a week, and a lifetime, of forming healthy boundaries.  Making exceptions doesn’t put you in a place that you want to be.  Explore your development of healthy boundaries, and let them keep you safe.

Live Peace.  Imagine a respectful world.  We can use our time and energy for goodness.

We choose…Love, ~Amor Milagre

(These journal posts are excerpts from my self-health books.)