Go Ahead, Limit Yourself

I recently finished reading a fiction book - The Shack. It's a beautiful book that allowed me to walk away with not only many lessons to apply in my own life but with seeing things from a new perspective.

The following is taken directly from the book:
"Remember that choosing to stay on the ground is a choice to facilitate a relationship; to honor it. Mackenzie, you do this yourself. You don't play a game or color a picture with a child to show your superiority. Rather, you choose to limit yourself so as to facilitate and honor that relationship. You will even lose a competition to accomplish love. It is not about winning and losing, but about love and respect."

"So when I am telling you about my children?"

"We have limited ourselves out of respect for you. We are not bringing to mind, as it were, our knowledge of your children. As we are listening to you, it is as if this is the first time we have known about them, and we take great delight in seeing them through your eyes."

This dialogue takes place between Mackenzie and God. When I read it a huge light bulb went off in me and my heart expanded once again. Today I got to experience the joy in limiting myself during my walk.

I'm a fast walker which is why I usually walk alone. I like to get out there and sweat! Today I came upon a woman who I see often during my walks and she walks much slower - she's in her late 70's. As I started to pass her she struck up a conversation and I slowed down for the time being. After a few minutes I wanted to pick up my pace but I suddenly remembered what I read in The Shack and stayed at pace with her. We had such a lovely conversation and she's a truly beautiful Soul. As the conversation was coming to an end she said,

"You're a dear to have taken the time to chat with me and I'm sorry to have slowed you down. It's time to pick up your pace again."

And off I went feeling lighter and more joyful than I did when I started out at my furious pace!

I want to make it clear that this is not about limiting yourself for someone else in your life because he or she is more interested in staying stuck or being the victim. This limitation comes from real love that supports and honors the highest good of all parties involved.    

So I invite you, throughout your days, to see how you can limit yourself and make a difference in someone's life. Perhaps it's how you have a conversation with a family member who normally annoys you. Or maybe you slow yourself down enough to help the person who's having difficult learning something new that you learned quickly.

You know better than anyone how you can limit yourself so you ultimately expand yourself.

Comments

[Linda]

Very nice, Jean. And I can certainly understand you not wanting to be "a listening post" any time soon!

[Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk]

I once spent at least two hours a day, two or three times a week, for months just being there for a woman who needed a listening post. It was a strange situation because she made it clear she didn't want me to say a word, just listen. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done and at the time I wondered if there was something wrong with me for allowing myself to be used that way. In fact, I'm glad I did it. She navigated the huge transition she was making in her life and gives me a big smile when we happen to pass downtown. I do think I've done my share, though, and won't be just a listening post again. ;)