Hello World, I am happy to share and …
“It is my honor to trust you, just like a child I share with you my inner being … This makes me vulnerable. Remember my boundaries, as I remember yours!”– Penny L Howe, 2013
Children remind us, through the open nature of their innocence and naivete to tread carefully on their feelings.
Since we’ve learned a few hard lessons, while growing up, about those who abuse the love and trust they’ve been given, we tend to be “tempered” and cautious about letting others in.
When connecting with others online (to have strong and safe connections), you need to set personal boundaries here, as well. Sadly, Facebook and Twitter have set very low standards of behavior. (resulting in, all too frequently, negative, rude, and insensitive written words and images, as well as invasive and intrusive behavior patterns.
There really does appear to be no control (regarding personal behavior – It has become hard to tell the children from the adults.) And if that’s not bad enough, big business has come along to take advantage of these very huge and active social online relationships, for the sole purpose of “making more money”.
Setting Personal Online Boundaries:
First – Stay “grounded”. Step away from the computer, your i-phone or other communicating devices when you do not feel good about what is happening with your social interactions. If you are feeling drained and exhausted, emotionally overwhelmed – time to break away.
Second – When you share of yourself, do so cautiously, within a place of comfortable safety, Imagine a protective shell around you, think of that space as only allowing love and positive energy within, deflecting any thing else. And then remember to maintain your energy shield.
Third – Don’t assume but do be respectful of the space of others. Remember your online friends deserve the same courtesy you want, so do respect their personal boundaries too. Be an example of a responsible online “friend”!
Fourth – With all the above in mind – be true to yourself. Be your own person. Don’t let others intimidate, or negatively influence. Find the fulcrum of balance between sharing and giving even as you keep yourself safe within your own personal online boundaries. By the way, as long as you are respectful of other’s boundaries, sharing love is just about the best thing to do … always!
Thank you for visiting me, have a great week ahead,
~ Penny
The Why About This 
Setting boundaries can be difficult but you are so right Penny, so very important. I have to agree with many of your commenters, Facebook is quite often difficult for me to like.
Yup, very very hard, very very important. I call them the “Sanity Boundaries” – your own! (lol) right with you and the others re: Facebook, LuAnn! 🙂
I continue to avoid Twitter because of time constraints. I am not familiar enough with it to know if I should venture in. Once we get beyond this phase of our lives, I will be looking at how I want to reconstruct my blog to be more of who I am, not just an RV blog. I will perhaps reconsider Twitter at that time, or not. 😉
I think I’ve reached a point of understanding the twitter (social media) platform mentality. It’s value and function, still figuring out the best way to utilize what is positive about it and minimize the negative aspects! 🙂
I may still venture in. I have been thinking about the many changes I would like to make to my blog.
I have a hunch your changes will be creative ones, LuAnn. You rate high on my “very talented-ometer”! 🙂
Boundaries are so important Penny. The disrespect I have come across only this morning *almost* got my blood boiling but I did as you suggest here – stepped back. Let the ignorance of others shine without myself being in the spotlight.
I mess up (I guess, sometimes? maybe) but I won’t pounce on anyone even for their own sake. That’s what the delete button is for !
Hi Lesley, I can feel the emotions emanating from your *almost*! It is sometimes amazingly difficult to be ‘considered’ in our approach when attempting to handle (inappropriate) behavior while we deal with emotions we are feeling in the moment. And it is tempting to pounce, initially! Proud of you for stepping back! Nah, you don’t mess up, just can’t see it happening! LOL xxx
😀 ha! Nah
Thanks Penny, well said, we can take a lot away with this post. xxx Rae
Hello Rae, thank you. I also greatly enjoyed your post! xxx
For me, it’s always best to re-write again what I’ve already written especially when I don’t feel good about it — I get to re-think and edit in the process.
I agree! Respect is a must! We have to be very considerate of what others may feel as we make connections with them.
Another lovely post, Penny! 🙂
Thank you Jake! Re-writing (in many cases), is another way of viewing our written words, a very good thing to do. You’re correct, honor and respect – hugely important in all that we do! 🙂
yes, some very important and sage advice here, Penny.
Thank you, very much. Sometimes people do forget to set boundaries … offline too!
I’m actually very bad at it, myself.
Really? That surprises me, I mean really!
Why is that ? 🙂
I don’t know for certain, you just seem as if you would be quite good at having boundaries! One has to be disciplined to workout (with weights regularly, for example)! 🙂
naaah.. I’m actually pretty much of an extremist. I like to push mine, and everybody else’s, boundaries a lot… and my mouth tends to offend more people than charm em. the net does kinda mitigate this for me, since I can edit and re-edit before ever pressing ‘send’. 🙂
Editing would be handy in real life too I think. 🙂
hahaha… sure, but there’s no <– or del button. 😀
too true! 🙂
Hello my Charming Angel .
Ah, my boon late night companion! I am so very happy to see you are back again. 🙂 xxxxxxxxxx
Wise & simple ground rules.
xx 🙂 🙂 xx
Hello RoSy, how’s it going? Thanks neighbor. For me it seems like common sense. And makes for a much nicer time online! 🙂 xo
Wonderful tips, Penny, thank you for sharing! Hugs a plenty, too!
Thank you Lauren. I like that “hugs a plenty” … yes, and you also! xxx
Golden rules, Penny! 🙂
Have a beautiful new week my dear friend!! 🙂
xxxxxxx
Hello Marina. I can’t tell you how reading your wonderful words and seeing your beautiful you in your gravatar always brightens my day, dearest of friends! You also, a most excellent week ahead! 🙂 xxxxxx
😳 …and a beautiful Tuesday, my dear!
🙂 xxxxxxxx
PS you do realize that feelings are mutual, don’t you?!!! 🙂
And again you make my day, Marina, thank you. 🙂 A glorious Tuesday evening to you, listening to music, relaxing with your special partner! 🙂 xxxxxx
🙂 🙂 🙂 xxxxxx
You are full on with your boundaries and tips. Let love rule!
Thank you Ute. Yes, always love should rule, non better! 🙂
Well said and I agree with you on everything 🙂
Hi Andy, thank you, so very much, my friend! 🙂
You’re so welcome! very true words 🙂
Thank you for this great advice Penny! Lots of love to you ♥
Thank you so kindly Patty, Lots of love to you also, dear friend! 🙂 xo
Reblogged this on The ObamaCrat™.
My WordPress friends have been so careful with those boundaries. Sadly Facebook has raised my blood pressure. Might I add that if you realize you have overstepped boundaries, another comment or an edit is in order.
Hello Alice, so nice to see (read) you! Hoping all is well for you. I like your advice, very good advice too. I try really hard to like Facebook, but …
Another great and informative post Penny. Great advice.
Hi Alastair, thank you. I’ll be heading over your way shortly to do some catching up my friend! 🙂 xx
Thanks Penny. I appreciate it