One day in all likelihood you will awaken to the hard cold fact that you have been accepting so little from the people, places and things in your life and that you deserve so much better, so much more. And you may also discover that you got there because you wanted to be perpetually nice. Perhaps, it has become automatic to look for the bright side of things, to cheer people up or just to always make everything okay. And, perhaps, it has become almost a natural instinct to try to smooth and ease the discomfort of others. However, all that accommodating other people's feelings, making them feel better and ignoring bad behavior even when it hurts us , can leave us feeling anything but nice. Today, it is time to stay awake and let go of your need to be nice, to always understand, to always help even if it ends up being at your expense. Today, you can begin to set clear boundaries, even if it means that you are not being nice. I have learned that to be sincerely kind and compassionate, we must create strong and clear boundaries for ourselves. Otherwise, being “nice” will ultimately lead to resentment, which is the opposite of compassion, the opposite of being nice. Begin by letting go of who you think you are supposed to be and embracing who you are. You and I must find ways to release our chronic need to please, and the courage to reveal our real and vulnerable selves. We must get clear with ourselves about what’s okay and what is not okay so that we can be clear in communicating that to others. Only you and I can decide exactly what we are willing to accept in our lives.Being authentic takes courage. Learning to wade through the discomfort of setting boundaries takes risk. You risk disapproval. You risk being disliked. But I think the risk is worth it if we ultimately find respect for ourselves. Today, let go of your need to be nice, begin to set clear boundaries and know without any doubt that you deserve better just because you exist. Today, know that setting clear boundaries is about having the courage to love enough even when you risk disappointing others.

Just for today, I respect my boundaries and I insist others do too. I am a master at setting healthy boundaries that protect my time, energy, creativity and emotional well being. I recognize that the only people who get upset about me setting boundaries are the ones who are benefiting me from having none. I am calm in the midst of chaos. No person, place or thing has any power to upset me. I am safe. I am willing to let go of my need to be liked. And everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.