BOUNDARIES

"Setting boundaries is about learning to take care of ourselves, no matter what happens, where we go, or who we're with.

Boundaries emerge from deep decisions about what we believe we deserve and don't deserve.

Boundaries emerge from belief that what we want and need, like and dislike, is important.

Boundaries emerge from a deeper sense of our personal rights, especially the right we have to take care of ourselves and to be ourselves.

Boundaries emerge as we learn to value, trust, and listen to ourselves.

The goal of having and setting boundaries isn't to build thick walls around ourselves. The purpose is to gain enough security and sense of self to get close to others without the threat of losing ourselves, smothering them, trespassing, or being invaded. Boundaries are the key to loving relationships.

When we have a sense of self, we'll be able to experience closeness and intimacy. We'll be able to love and to be loved.

Intimacy, play, and creativity require loss of control. Only when we have boundaries and know we can trust ourselves to enforce them and take care of ourselves, will we be able to let go enough to SOAR. These same activities help develop a sense of self, for it is through LOVE, PLAY, and CREATIVITY that we begin to understand who we are and become reassured we can trust ourselves. Having boundaries means having a self strong, NURTURED, HEALTHY and CONFIDENT enough to LET GO--and come back again INTACT."

From the book: "Beyond Codependency" by Melody Beattie

EGO BOUNDARIES

"Ego boundary is the internal strength by which a person has an ego barrier to guard his inner space. This is the means the individual uses to screen and interpret the outside world. It is also the structure a person uses to cope with, and modulate his/her interactions with the world."

From the book: "Bradshaw On The Family" by John Bradshaw

STRONG EGO BOUNDARIES

        __________
       /          \
      /        __  \
     /     ___/  |  \    Trust       (Hope)
    |            |   |   Autonomy    (Will Power)
    |      ___   |   |   Initiative  (Purpose)
     \        \__|  /    Industry    (Competence)
      \            /
       \          /
        \________/

The door knob is on the inside
of the door which enables the
setter of the boundaries to dictate
access gained. This is a safe and
appropriately protected reality
where ego boundaries are concerned.
A healthy functioning model.

WEAK EGO BOUNDARIES


        __________
       /          \
      /            \      __      Mistrust
     (              ) ___/  |     Shame
     |              | ___   |     Guilt
     (              )    \__|     Inferiority
      \            /
       \          /
        \________/

The door knob is on the outside
of the door which in essence gives
others free access as they see fit.
More or less open access to you with
weak ego boundaries. Less safety
than in the case of strong ego boundaries.

BROKEN EGO BOUNDARIES


        __________
       /          \
      /            \
     (              )     Confusion
     |              |     Helplessness
     (              )     Powerlessness
      \            /
       \          /
        \________/

When one has broken ego boundaries,
or essentially no ego boundaries then
one is like a house whose doors have
no knobs. Essentially then there are
no boundaries and there can be no sense
of control or safety from inside or outside.
This is a wide open and not so safe position
to be in. It is from here enmeshment can
easily occur and or the lines of individuation
between self and others may quickly get blurred.
When we have broken ego boundaries we often
have to call on other more mal-adaptive coping/
defense mechanisms to survive and we often are
not aware where we begin and end as opposed to
where others begin and end.




General Information Zone

Soul's Self-Help