Saying no to others and setting healthy boundaries can be challenging, especially if you have spent most of your life saying yes, acting on the belief that other people's needs were more important than your own needs and attracting people who liked you just because they knew that they could manipulate you into saying yes and thus, meet their needs. Of course, you are meeting their needs at your own expense which is little concern to those people who have come to expect to use you. When you choose to change and set healthy boundaries, those very same people will protest and attempt to shame you back into the person you used to be-the one that met all their needs. Today, it is time to come to terms that you can no longer be the person you used to be and to secure your boundaries so that you do not slide backwards in an attempt to make the other people happy and thus make yourself feel safe. Today, respect and love yourself enough to recognize when something isn’t healthy for you and respect your inner knowing. Today, be confident enough to set clear boundaries to protect yourself, even when the ghosts of your past appear to stir fear and doubt in you. Remember, the only people that get upset about you setting boundaries are the ones that are benefiting from you having none. Today, focus on getting your needs met and on setting healthy boundaries. The way you treat yourself sets the standards for everyone else.

Just for today, I deserve better than I have accepted in the past. I respect my healthy boundaries and I insist that others do too. I am safe when I say no. I know what I want and I do not have to apologize for it. I am lovable I am loving and I am loved and everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.