In the realm where grace and strength align
A tapestry woven
Harmonious and fine
There lies a path of balance untold
Where boundaries rise
And grace unfolds

They say that love
Knows no limits
But to love others
Means we must love ourselves

To stand strong in our word
And to never allow the lines to become blurred

And we cannot optimally love
Without boundaries in place
And we cannot love without
Giving some grace

The two
They must coexist
The two
Are essential to persist

Grace
It whispers through the silence
Giving you assurance 
That everything will be all right

Grace
It’s a gentle reminder that forgiveness and kindness will always be there
That love will always be present
Beyond compare

In giving grace
you are rising above
Allow it to unfold 
Offering a greater sense of love

But stand strong in your boundaries
Knowing they are your shield
They guard your worth and identity
Keeping your bubble of joy concealed 

Boundaries 
They protect your soul
Firm and true
Allowing you to continue to dance
In the most innate version of you

No need to shrink
Or to hide
No need to boast
Or to brag

It’s with boundaries
That freedom thrives
And with grace
That love arrives

So allow the two to appear
There doesn’t need to be any compromise
Or any doubt that’s near

Let grace be the melody that you play
As you navigate life’s intrinsic ways
But know your worth
Let boundaries define
The radiant balance where your soul will shine

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When I think of the word “grace” I often think of offering love and acceptance to myself. It’s a way of recognizing that I’ve been through a lot in this life and it’s okay to struggle. It’s a reminder to my subconscious mind that I am worthy of greatness, even when things are hard, and that each step of the way is a part of the learning and growing. Recently, I’ve been really leaning into the 8 Limbs of Yoga. One of these Limbs is Ahimsa, or Non-Violence, which really focuses on loving-kindness. Through this, I have been exploring where my judgment stems from. This is one of the hardest works to do because it means getting out of gossip culture and leaning into grace.

Recently I was talking to a friend. We have a mutual acquaintance that we have chatted about. I have found that we both carry a lot of judgment toward her. As we were discussing this acquaintance, we chatted about her background and family and it hit me, she can’t control so much of who she is. Just as I carry anxiety from my past traumas, she likely carries the same. We know quite a bit about her background and her personality is drastically shaped by what she has experienced and how she has been raised. However, she is still not someone I want to be close with as she often focuses on bringing people down rather than hyping them up. She generally isn’t the type of person I want to be close to. So, I started doing a lot of reflection on this idea of giving grace to others while remaining strong in my boundaries. Just because I don’t desire a friendship with her, I still don’t need to judge her for who she is. So, how exactly can we lean into offering grace but with boundaries?

What is Grace?

Grace is the practice of extending kindness and forgiveness to others, even if/when you feel they don’t deserve it. It’s an act of compassion and empathy that can bring joy and healing to both the giver and the receiver. Grace involves recognizing that each person has their own story and struggles, and we should treat others with kindness and compassion, regardless of their past or present situation.

Giving grace is essential because it helps us build healthier relationships with others. When we practice grace, we create a safe and accepting environment for others, which can foster deeper connections and understanding. We also become more empathetic and compassionate towards others, which can lead to positive changes in our own lives. Moreover, practicing grace can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to extend kindness and forgiveness to others as well.

In addition to giving grace to others, it is also important to give ourselves grace. We all make mistakes, have flaws, and face challenges in life. Giving ourselves grace involves treating ourselves with kindness and forgiveness, just as we would do for others. When we give ourselves grace, we become more accepting and compassionate towards ourselves, which can lead to greater self-esteem and resilience.

When we give ourselves grace, we become more accepting and compassionate towards ourselves, which can help us become more accepting and compassionate towards others. When we are hard on ourselves, we can become critical of others and judgmental. However, when we give ourselves grace, we become more open-minded and accepting of others’ differences and struggles. This can help us build stronger and more meaningful relationships with others.

Setting Boundaries

Giving grace is not always easy. It can be challenging to maintain a positive outlook when we feel like we’ve been wronged, and it can be hard to balance our desire to be kind with our need to protect our own well-being. That’s where boundaries come in. Boundaries help us protect our mental well-being and avoid being taken advantage of by others. Boundaries allow us to say “no” when something is not in our best interest, to set limits on what we’re willing to tolerate from others, and to communicate our needs effectively. Without boundaries, we can become resentful and overwhelmed, which can negatively impact our relationships with others.

Boundaries have helped me remain strong and steady in my emotions, knowing that I am in control of the actions I take in my life. Foe example, with my acquaintance, boundaries have helped me listen to my intuition and know that I don’t want to play an active role in her life. She consistency has tried to make me feel less than while being an energy vampire. This isn’t something I want in my life. I can, and will, continue to offer her grace in her actions will remaining strong in my word and not engaging in things that don’t feel aligned with me.

How to Give Grace with Boundaries

Giving grace with boundaries involves finding a balance between being compassionate and empathetic towards others while still protecting ourselves. Here are some tips to help you give grace with boundaries:

1. Practice self-awareness: Know your limits, values, and priorities. This will help you identify situations where you need to set boundaries.
2. Communicate your boundaries: Let others know what you’re willing to tolerate and what you’re not. Be clear, concise, and assertive.
3. Don’t take things personally: Remember that people’s behavior is often a reflection of their own struggles, not a reflection of you.
4. Don’t sacrifice your needs for others: It’s important to prioritize your own needs and well-being. Don’t sacrifice your mental health to please others.
5. Be compassionate and empathetic: When you encounter difficult situations, try to see things from the other person’s perspective. This will help you approach the situation with compassion and empathy.