Healthy
Good fences make good neighbors
... a familiar proverb, most commonly
noted by Robert Frost in “The Mending Wall.” Fences define boundaries.
Boundaries are essential for a variety
of reasons. They define property lines,
where one person’s property begins,
and where one ends. Boundaries protect from invasion, theft, and misuse.
They establish who has authority over
use, control, and treatment of the
property.
When our firstborn was a toddler,
my husband put up a chain-link fence
in our yard. We wanted a safe place for
her to play without supervision, where
she would be safe. For animals, fences
not only keep the animals contained,
but they also keep out predatory animals that might be dangerous. Boundaries protect by keeping the good in
Hearts
?Healthy
by Brenda Yoder, MA,
Counselor & Education Consultant for Elijah Haven Crisis Intervention Center
and the bad out. They keep things safe.
Managers of properties have the
right and authority over who abides
within the borders, how things will be
conducted, protecting and guarding
those who dwell there. “No trespassing” and “Keep out” are signs often
posted defining property rules. Good
managers know the importance of
establishing the “rules of the yard.”
Just as physical boundaries are
essential, personal ones are, too. Appropriate, healthy boundaries over
physical, emotional, mental, and
sexual domains are important. God
created each of us as a masterpiece
landscape unlike anyone else, with
pristine beauty, character, and high
value. Each of us has the right, responsibility, and choice to establish healthy
Investment Strategies.
One-On-ONe Advice
STEVEN M. WEIGEL Financial Advisor
206 S. Detroit St. * LaGrange, IN 46761 260-463-8473
MATT RANG Financial Advisor
117 N Main * Wolcottville, IN
Homes
260-854-3116
DAVID SANDS Financial Advisor
902 Lincolnway South * Ligonier, IN 46767
260-894-9912
SHELDON Q. SHROCK Financial Advisor
160 N Morton St. * Shipshewana, IN 46565 260-768-4348
www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC
Making Sense of Investing
boundaries for how we will be treated,
respected, valued, and honored by
those around us. In our personal relationships, good “fences” are vital for
healthy relationships.
Yet despite this, boundary violations are rampant. Bullying, intimidation, passive-aggressiveness, social
media harassment, and physical
assaults are on the rise in the school
yard, at work, and even in our homes.
Somewhere, we’ve failed to realize the
importance of establishing boundaries
and disrespecting each other’s boundaries has become common. Lack of and
disregard for appropriate boundaries
causes serious “property” damage ...
damage of the heart.
God Himself sets the example for
setting boundaries. In the Garden of
Eden, He set boundaries over what
could and could not be eaten. That
boundary violation caused serious
trouble for all of us.
He sets boundaries over our lives.
He did it for Job (Job 1:12) and He does
for us (Psalm 139:5). He wants His
valuable landscapes treated well, with
respect and honor.
Establishing appropriate boundaries in relationships, even the most intimate ones, are essential for physical,
emotional, and mental health. When
personal boundaries are respected by
those around us, our hearts and homes
truly are healthy. They are safe and
sound, just like God intended.
Good fences do make good neighbors, both literally and figuratively. So,
I’ll grab the nails, you grab the hammer…..let’s go fix some fence.
Boundaries by Dr. John Townsend
and Dr. Henry Cloud is an excellent
resource for establishing personal
boundaries in relationships. For presentations or workshops on boundaries for youth or adult groups, contact
EHCIC at [email protected].
The Hometown Treasure · Mar. ‘12 · pg 41