Knowledge of The Self.

Remember that a boundary is set with love. (LOVE not inauthentic fake niceness)

It is never aggressive.
It is never dramatic.
It is never hurtful.

In the experience that I had, I told my friend that this action she had taken meant that I had reached my tipping point and that given our conversation last year, it meant that this was the end of our friendship.

 
I don't hate her. 

I don't resent her. 

I don't wish her bad.

In fact, I still have a deep love and appreciation towards her and genuinely desire for her business to flourish. 

Ethically, morally, spiritually and with grounded integrity. 

I just no longer have a space for her personal unethical choices and behaviours towards myself (and others, including staff and business partners) and the kind of standards and authentic connections that I'm committed to creating.

So be very mindful, especially in difficult times, about how you allow others to treat you.

What you tolerate continues, what you accept defines your character. 

Stress, tension, anxiety and chaos are NOT excuses for poor choices of behaviour.

Walk away from those whose habits and patterns repeatedly reflect a misalignment with your own core values.  

In fact, when people are stressed, anxious or tense these are the real tests and will reveal in a heartbeat a person's true character. 

Listen and observe even more discerningly what choices they make in these times. 

Do they project their unhealed story or pain and anger on others with blame, shame or refusal to engage? 

Do they turn to unhelpful or unhealthy patterns (smoking/drugs/alcohol/spending money they don't have/debt/sex/promiscuity/risk taking/danger/chaos) as crutches of habitual avoidance and or stress relief? 

Do they revert to co-dependent patterns of childhood to "get them through"? (adults continually running back to mummy or daddy for enmeshed financial, emotional or "bail out" support?)

Do they attempt to control? 

Tell you what to do.

Tell you how it will be. 

Tell you "my way or the highway" with a lack of perspective, understanding, empathy or listening. 

Do they become passive aggressive? 

do they crumble and run? 

do they block and avoid?

Or do they stay grounded and communicate, especially when the conversations needed are challenging?

Simply, clearly with direct gracious clarity.

The depth of the truths we can readily and safely share, and be seen, heard and accepted, reflects the depth of authentic connection in any relationship. 

I wish you the best in wisely navigating any inter-personal storms that may be boiling throughout the current times, and a bold, simple and clear decisiveness in dealing with all that arises.

Once grounded in Self Knowledge, (a return to wholeness/atmavidya) life's never ending journey opens to simplicity, joy and an incredible lightness of being. 

And remember, always ask,
"What will love do?" 

That open hearted answer invariably serves us well.