Protect the Treasures of Your Soul

Setting healthy boundaries is crucial for protecting our personal treasures – feelings, attitudes, behaviors, choices, limits, talents, thoughts, values, and desires that make us who we are.

Too often, these vital attributes and qualities are ignored. Sometimes we may not even be fully aware of them. But they live within us, motivating us, steering our choices. In order to nurture them, and to truly take ownership of the treasures of our soul, we must set boundaries. This will help us to live a more fulfilling and authentic life.

To get started, I want you to identify which of your personal treasures you have been ignoring. This can be done by asking yourself some simple questions. For example, have you been setting limits on your exposure to things that are either bad for you or get in the way of something that you want? Have you been taking advantage of your choices and options? Have you been utilizing your talents? Have you taken ownership of your thoughts and feelings?

Once we have identified which of our treasures we have been ignoring, the next step is to admit the reality of the situation. This means acknowledging that we have been neglecting these treasures and accepting responsibility for it. Only then can we take the necessary steps to start nurturing them.

One way to nurture our personal treasures is by dedicating some time each week to them. This can be done by setting aside a specific day and time that you can reliably make work to focus on one of your treasures. For example, if you have been ignoring your talents, you can dedicate a few hours each week to practicing or working on them. If you have been neglecting your feelings, you can dedicate some time each week to journaling or talking to a trusted friend about them.

Another way to nurture our personal treasures is by expressing them in conversation or through actions. For example, if you have been ignoring your values, or doing something that compromises them in some way, you can express them in a conversation by sharing about what is going on, and express any feelings you have about it with a friend or family member. You can also express them as an action by making intentional choices that align with your values.

Setting boundaries around our personal treasures is about taking care of ourselves. When we set boundaries, we are sending a message to ourselves and others that we matter, and that our needs are important. We will also become more assertive and confident, which allows us to communicate our needs and wants more effectively.

It's also important to remember that setting boundaries is a process and not a one-time event. Our personal treasures and needs may change over time, and we may need to reassess our boundaries and adjust them accordingly.

It's also important to note that setting boundaries can be difficult and may cause discomfort, especially if we are not used to it. It's normal to feel guilty or uncomfortable when we start setting boundaries, but it's important to remember that it's necessary for our well-being.

Treasures we may wish to protect:

Values: Our values are the principles and beliefs that guide us in our lives. Setting boundaries around our values can help us protect them from being compromised by others or external circumstances.

Emotions: Our emotions are a vital part of who we are and play a crucial role in our overall well-being. Setting boundaries around our emotions can help us protect them from being exploited or manipulated by others.

Time and Energy: Our time and energy are limited resources, and it's important to set boundaries around how we use them. This can help us protect our time and energy for the things that are most important to us.

Physical Boundaries: Our physical boundaries are the limits we set around our bodies and personal space. Setting physical boundaries can help us protect our bodies and personal space from being invaded or violated.

Personal Goals and Dreams: Our personal goals and dreams are unique to us and are an important part of our identity. Setting boundaries around our personal goals and dreams can help us protect them from being compromised or disregarded by others.