For much of my life, I saw the boundaries of people as walls—tall and impenetrable, guarded by knights and archers, ready to strike with righteous force at any who dared trespass. Behind those walls, we convince ourselves we are safe, justified in defending what we claim is ours, no matter the cost. We build these fortresses with our energy, our time, our very essence, and justify the harm they cause, all in the name of self-preservation, safety and respect.
Yet, what do these walls truly preserve? They drain us, require endless upkeep, and demand that we justify the pain they inflict. The landscape of our lives, once open and vibrant, becomes harsh and cluttered, dominated by cold stone instead of living earth. And so, we spend our days defending what we’ve built, only to find ourselves diminished—less powerful, less loved, and less free.
Then, in a moment of clarity, it occurred to me: boundaries need not be walls. Walls restrict, isolate, and harm, but there is another way. And so, I tore my walls down, returned the stone to the earth, and let the empty trenches fill with rivers. The water flowed freely, creating life where once there had been only separation. These rivers became my boundaries—not barriers, but nourishments.
A river serves as a boundary, yes, but also as a gift. It feeds the land, brings fish to the hungry, and offers a place to rest. It needs no guards, no maintenance, no justification. And when someone stumbles into the rushing water, it is not my archers who teach them a lesson, but the river itself. I simply offer a hand to help them out, their understanding deepened by the current.
Over the years, the walls I once thought necessary have eroded entirely, replaced by rivers that run strong and true. Boundaries that nurture, boundaries that support, are the only boundaries that truly endure. They protect, not by division, but by fostering harmony. And in doing so, they give life not just to the one who sets them, but to all who live within their reach

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