There is a rubber band around me. You can't see it, but it's there. I was born with it. So were you. You have your own rubber band. I've seen people do poorly thought out things to their rubber band. They fare poorly for those decisions.
The rubber band is symbolism for personal boundaries. All that is within the band, is familiar. All outside of it, is unfamiliar. We tend to stay comfortable within our band and become uncomfortable outside of it. Outside of this band, is new experiences, people We don't know, skills to learn, places to visit We've not seen. Outside, can be threatening.
To stay within the band, is to let fear govern your life.
Developmental philosophy says that when We were born, the familiar circle was only mother. As We grew, We became aware of father, siblings, the place called home. All that was incorporated within the band.
Later, the kids down the block, church, relatives, the mall...other places...became familiar parts within the rubber band. School enlarged it some more with teachers, learning and experiences, and children who became our friends or tormentors. As the rubber band grows, the person in the middle may become uncomfortable. It takes effort to learn new things, to learn social skills, how to handle a bully, how to speak up when things aren't right, to express your own opinion and your own feelings.
I know of people who refuse to venture outside their comfort zone. They stay within the band. They refuse the growth tasks before them. They don't want to know what is happening outside their door. You know them as the ostrich clan.
Then the death element of the rubber band surfaces. The band gets smaller and smaller. The person inside the band becomes isolated, frightened, choked off from life. One by one, activities are dropped. "I don't do that anymore". They don't add new interests to replace interests that are outgrown. The final stage is death, alone, isolated, without growth, without friends, without experiences. How many people do you know that have not grown? It is a shame, a waste of human potential
To say yes to life, means stretching your personal boundary. It takes effort to learn a new language, move to a new community and make new friends. Just think how much better off you are because you made the effort. Check back to the old neighborhood and see the people who are still there. You were once just like them, but not any more. You've outgrown the old gang.
Some times, people don't respect your personal boundaries....or you don't respect the other person's boundaries. What is that man doing in your living room? He's a thief. What are you doing, giving advice to a colleague when it isn't asked for. You've overstepped your boundary. The spouse who bullies his mate has overstepped his boundary into the spouse's boundary. A lot of harm done. Neighborhood gossip, getting a lot of facts mixed up....should shut up. Helping yourself to something that belongs to someone else? Put it back.
Your task in this lifetime is to grow. Your other task in this lifetime is to respect the personal boundaries of the other person. Nurture them if you have a chance, but don't trample on them .
This story is a fable. Don't put your head in the sand. Say "yes" to life experiences.