@Hilda: May you not see this note for a while, because you’ve been so successful in acting on this message from the Universe!

@Nadia: Love it. You made me think about the unconscious boundaries that we make, which often don’t serve us. This post is about making *conscious* boundaries that will actually *serve* our growth. Yeehaw!

@Susan C Brown: “creepage and seepage”–so funny, and so true! That’s exactly how it feels!

@Terie: “online of course”…LOLOL!!! And I like what you’re pointing to here…so many of us can do this so well with children. The good news? We KNOW how to set healthy boundaries. Now we (Lol…I…) just have to point that skill toward our own well-being in a conscious way.

@Wilma: thanks so much for your sweet post! And YES! “Boundaries,” as a word, comes with beaucoups baggage. Big kudos to you for shifting the meaning of the word for yourself into something that’s good!

@Amit: WOW. What a great example of someone who’s taken the leap and created some very healthy boundaries for yourself. Thank you for sharing…you are inspiring!

@Robin: Aww! Thank you! Keep fighting the good fight…choice by choice!

@Stacey: Isn’t it so cool how something like boundaries can enhance a focus like “Expand”?! Logic would say otherwise, but hey, this is your masterpiece to create…you get to make it all up, and you are! Work that boundaries-enabled-expansion, woman!

@Lance: Hi!

@Amit – Your point is well taken, Amit. Sometimes it can be really good to completely step away from some of these things we think we “need”. And in doing so, we see how much they might really be holding us back from letting our true selves shine.

@Robin Easton – As I read this Robin, the word that I keep thinking of is “harmony”. If we can live our lives in harmony with what matters to us – that is such a great place to come from. And this might mean a hike with our spouse, or playing with our kids, or going online to promote our work. It all touches upon what matters deeply. And sometimes, it can be easy to cross over and be “less productive”. This isn’t always “bad” though, as there can be much good that comes in these less productive moments too. Again, I think there’s a certain harmony here, too – and especially when this all touches upon our soul in some way. Robin, I know that you very much come from a place that does this. It’s why I see you in the light of this word “harmony”, and how it really goes back to a place within you that matters. It is so good to see.

@Diane – Hi Diane. Yes, with a large family, I can imagine that boundaries become even more vital to the success of your whole family. Having three kids, I know that these boundaries are necessary for us to function as a whole.

@Jannie – Hey Jannie…hey I think I DO hear you!!! You are singing, aren’t you! This world is filled with some amazingly great people – and I’m honored to have so many of them share openly here! So, Jannie, know that I deeply love you and your amazing greatness here! Happy Saturday!!

@Stacey / Create a Balance – Hi Stacey!! Yes, we have talked about our words of the year (what a great conversation that was – and it really helped me to focus on what my word for this year would be). The word EXPAND is such a great word for you, Stacey. And I’m watching that unfold already in this new year, and love what I’m seeing! You are a shining star here, and know that you have also helped me immensely through all of our interactions. I can’t wait to see where this year continues to take you, dear friend…

dittoes on thinking you’re swell.

And I’ve very much enjoyed reading through these comments. I learned that Karl has a wife snd child. And I loved Nadia’s comment so much I’m going to post part of it for my daily quote tomorrow. I just love these comments and this post so much I think I’ll just read them again. Megan Joygirl is such an infectiously enthusiastic hoot. And so are you, Lance.
Stay happy!!
Jannie Funster´s Last Fabulous Post ..“Yes – Kids Sure Do Say The Darndest Things” Part 2

Lance – thanks for a wonderful guest post!
Diane Fit to the Finish´s Last Fabulous Post ..Are Weekends Harder?

I am having to find boundaries with being on line. NOT because I’m addicted to it or even like it, but since I have book coming out later this year, being online is crucial to my work. I think I would be more like TESS here, where I am perfectly content (even MORE content) to be with my sweetheart, hiking, gardening, jogging, nature photography and more. But I also am smart enough to see that to promote and book or any business (I’m a solopreneur as well) that I need to be visible online.

The one truly remarkable thing about it is people like Lance, and so many others that I know here…people like yourself who are SUCH good people. Nonetheless, I struggle to find those boundaries of what I need to be doing and what is not as productive. Still learning.

Thank you for the encouragement you offer and doing so through honesty as well. I REALLY value that. Hugs, Robin

I actually did a communications sebbatical last year whereby I didn’t use any tech for a week. The only exception was occasional email and only once a day for important things.

So much good came of it and I changed many habits. I got rid of all instant messengers, I only use my email, blog phone fb, or twitter. I spend much less time overall on the net and it’s given me more space and time to do things that are important to me. I’ll still use my laptop if I need to but just disconnect from the net so I can focus on the quality of writing for example and not get distracted easily.
Amit Sodha – The Power Of Choice´s Last Fabulous Post ..Don’t Let The Attitude Of Gratitude Turn You Into A Pushover

@Audra – Hey Audra! Yep, when we set the boundaries for ourselves, it’s boundaries that really have meaning. I think that’s important, because that’s what is really going to get us committed to these boundaries, when we have something backing them.

@Jannie – Hey, I hear you Jannie! Well, I don’t literally hear you (do you know what I mean – that would be some super excellent hearing though, wouldn’t it, if I could really hear you). And it’s been great to have taken something that started on Twitter to another level. Laura is way awesome, and I consider myself honored to know her. Just like you Jannie…you are something pretty special, you know…

@Catherine – Hi Catherine, and welcome! Such a big part of this, for me, is awareness. Just being aware can make a real difference in me “seeing” how my time is being used. And your day – I think it’s baby steps and awareness. You had both – and there’s much good in that. Maybe there’s room for improvement, and you are seeing that, which is so good. Keep at it…and I will too…

@Hilda – That computer can suck us right in, can’t it!! And I find your story very refreshing, as it shows that you survived just fine … and in fact, thrived! Enjoy your “breaks” from technology (although I definitely love having you here too!).

@Nadia – Hi Nadia. Laura is a wonderful, sweet, and caring soul. Hey, that sounds just like YOU! So, yes – it’s about choices. What choices are we making, and are those choices taking us closer to or further away from all of our dreams, desires, and goals. It’s a great question to ask ourselves, and really to help us set those boundaries to keep us connected with what truly matters. Great thoughts Nadia!

@Susan – Hi Susan! It’s easy for us (I know it is for me) to let myself drift, even when I’m trying to focus. Laura is really onto something here with this – when we set those boundaries for ourselves, we give ourselves such a great opportunity to flourish!

@Angelia – Hi Angelia! Twitter has some awesome possibilities! That is, of course, if we don’t let it take over our lives (it’s easy to be sucked in…I know!). So…you have avoided the bathtub! That’s success, right!! And your looking for the online version of IA!! Ha!!! I love it!!! Hey, we could all hang out together in there! Wait…wouldn’t that be Twitter???

@Terie -Right!! What’s the deal, we have to set our own boundaries?!?!?!? Ha!! Setting those boundaries…if we don’t do it for ourselves, no one will… And – I’ll join you and Angelia in IA – haha!!

This message is a great reminder that like children, we too need to set some boundaries.

@Angelia – I’ll join the IA with you, online of course
Terie´s Last Fabulous Post ..Walking- taking small steps for big changes

I think it’s great you met Lance on Twitter. Definitely a social networking success story!

Lance, You make the world a brighter place for sure.

I think my addiction goes beyond any boundaries, as I’ve most likely broken the speed of light barrier when it comes down to my internet usage. (going where noone has gone before-uhhhhexcept the bathtub!)
Laptop at home, Mac at Jason’s, Dell at work and the iPhone for all things in between when I’m (gasp!) not connected. Lordy! I think I need a 12 step program and internet anonymous meeting. (can I find one online?)

Seriously, thanks for the post and the reminder there is life beyond a computer screen.

Cheers!
xoxoxo
Angelia Sims´s Last Fabulous Post ..NyQuil, Please! I can explain!

Lance, thank you for introducing us to Laura.

Laura, you are talking my language! So often people fence themselves in by rules that they created and then forget that the boundaries can be broken at any time. We are the creators of our world and we create our world by the choices that we may. We just have to be careful what we choose and to make choices that reflect what we really feel and think.