Boundaries, the conclusion

Well, I never got around to breaking this into three sections like I said I would, but I've decided that's perfectly fine. This book went with me on my travels through AL, GA, and FL, and bit by bit, state by state, beach by beach, I worked my way through the rest of it. It has some water marks, sun screen stains, and bits of sand still stuck in  and on it from being toted around, but I was really into this book, so it went most places that I did. I read it on coffee breaks, at dinner, at the beach, and before going to bed. So far, out of the list of books I've been working through, this one is by far my favorite. *(warning: for those who cherish the sanctity of an unmarked book, skip the next sentence). I underlined and circled and folded pages and made notes in the margin. It's well worth the $15 price tag and as I read, I kept thinking of people I'd like to give it to. Who should read this book, you ask? Well, in my thinking, the following people should pick up a copy of this book, Boundaries, and dive right into it:

*Christians
*Non-Christians
(well, that was easy and simplified things). =-D

All kidding aside, if you're: a parent, spouse, child, sibling, co-worker, missionary, pastor, team leader, part of a team, friend,  engaged person, boss, employee, pushover, rule breaker, follower, leader, dominant, submissive... well, you're getting the picture, right?

Outtakes:
*Guilt is your problem. No one has the power to make you feel guilty
*The person upset with you for setting boundaries is the one with the problem
*Wrong can never be undone, but it can be forgiven and rendered powerless
*Boundaries separate you from what you have known and what you do not want
*God does not want people to control you. He is on your side
*Forgiveness takes one; reconciliation takes two
*Learn what your limits are, and then give as much as you can up to those limits
*If others have the power to get you to react, they are inside your walls. Stop reacting & be proactive
*Boundaries are God given and for our good!

Conclusion: Boundaries, by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend is an extremely well written and insightful look into why we do what we do. In reading it, we can better learn to take care of ourselves, resulting in better marriages, better ministry, and better relationships with everyone we know.