In a society built upon a foundation of freedom, it is sometimes seen as taboo to set limits and to create restraints. However, limits are not always bad and they are sometimes, in fact, often necessary. Limits remind us that all things can be good, but in moderation.
When limits are not created and/or enforced, chaos erupts. A limitless society leads to rampant crime, financial crisis, pollution, epidemics of obesity, stress-related illnesses, depression and other lifestyle induced conditions. There is a point where enough really is enough and if that point is not obvious, then it may be necessary to create a limit.The issues listed above deal with the macro effects of not setting limits, but within our individual lives, the consequences are just as grave.
In the world of personal development we refer to limits as boundaries. In nature, boundaries are clearly defined and when they are violated it is called a natural disaster. When water invades the land, when lava trespasses to the outside of a volcano, when two faults enter each other's personal space - the result is catastrophic.
What disasters are occuring in your life because of weak boundaries? Have your days and nights become inseperable because your work has overstepped its boundary? Are your children hard to manage because they have not been introduced to limits? Are you frustrated because you allow others to manipulate your time? Are your finances in disarray because your expenses have wandered beyond your income? Do you live in fear because the way that others express themselves violates your safety or comfort?
In light of the recent Tragedy in Tuscon, many are calling for a move towards moderation with regards to political expression. Perhaps there should be a wider challenge to exercise moderate living; A challenge to understand that equal to the freedom to do or say what we want, is the freedom not to. How might our society, our lives, our future be different if we chose the freedom to forego some of our wants and desires?
There are two freedoms - the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where he is free to do what he ought. ~Charles Kingsley
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