We stand in the middle of a world we feel we know, and within the known we can relax and soften. It feels relatively predictable and safe this known world we inhabit. Yet pushing in around the edges of this comfortable world is the unknown, the new, the yet to be encountered. This boundary or edge between the known and the unknown presents us with choices and opportunities, but can also bring fear or unease. It marks a line between the firm ground of certainty and the shifting waters of new states and possibilities.
When we find ourselves at the boundary of the new and unknown, we usually pause, at least for a moment, to asses what we might be stepping into. Sometimes the shift feels like too much of a challenge and we might prefer to stay on the firm dry earth of certainty. We plant our feet firmly and refuse to move forwards. Learning how to cross these boundaries with confidence can allow us to grow and expand our awareness, and prevent us becoming stuck in old outdated patterns.
At other times we might plunge in happily, full of excitement and expectation. Usually when life has been going well and has been fairly predictable, crossing into the unknown will feel like an exciting adventure. However if life has been throwing us some unforeseen curve balls, crossing the boundary of the known will feel far more of a challenge, and might even be met with a refusal. How are you feeling about the edges of the unknown in your life at the moment? Are you ready to get your feet wet and allow your world to expand?
Find more about boundaries at this weeks WP photo challenge.
breathofgreenair 
Lovely meaningful words and images to match. Stepping across boundaries can bring all sorts of excitement
It can indeed and sometimes a few surprises💕
Oh such beautiful dogs. One is autumn and the other is winter………
Really lovely post as always, Seonaid.
Thanks Sharon, and I’ve never thought of the dogs as seasons, but you’re absolutely right💕
Great images and beautiful writing – love it! sometimes I dare myself to jump in to the unknown 🙂 Scuba diving is one of them and now I am addicted to it 🙂 Have a lovely walk today with your dog 🙂
Thanks Indah, sometimes it really pays off to jump right in with both feet! I used to scuba dive, and had thought I would find it scary. It was the opposite and so relaxing😃💕I haven’t kept up my hours though and now restrict myself to snorkelling whenever I get the chance😍
That is so, yes. I think most people want to try…go further, open up, not being afraid. But then again – as you say – what people do depends much on what they have experienced before and in what mood they are. Thoughtful as usual and lovely pictures.
Thanks Tina..those unknown edges of change can be such a challenge… And such an adventure all at once 😳💕
I knew you would do a brilliant boundary post Seonaid. Yes, I try to be as open to each new boundary that I meet.
Aw thanks Gilly💕 Staying open can be such a challenge when life isn’t going smoothly… That’s mine currently😀 but here’s hoping for calmer waters and more fun 😉
♥♥♥ I love this post. ❤ I'm not sure what else to say right now because I feel as if I arrived at the right words, the right images, the right questions, and the right moment. A convergence, maybe. Thank you. You have given me a gift. 🙂
Thank you Robin, and I think you met some boundaries of your own this past week😊
Your photos are so magnificent and they depict boundaries so well. For me and my friends, the unknown boundary that we deal with is Aging. We all think we are 20 until we look in the mirror; or we try to do something we used to love and find we no longer can do it. Accepting us for our limitations is really hard right now… but we have to forge ahead into the unknown anyway. Boundaries are interesting and sometimes not easy to cross. Thanks for your lovely post!!
I think that edge of ageing is a big Unknown for most Gwynn…although quite a few have walked along its path ahead of us 😃
Changes in the body and its capacities are always challenging, whatever the reason, but there are many ways of having fun!!
Delighted you enjoyed the post, and as always it’s lovely to read you’re reflections on it😃
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh trust me! I definitely know how to have fun!! 😉 I’m aging… but not dead! 😉
Oh I know you have fun Gwynn it shines through in your writing💕
I wish I was braver sometimes. Love the reflections, Seonaid. 🙂
Yeah, the clouds fell into the water again… That’s another thing I can’t resist snapping Jo 😊
Nor me 🙂
Wonderful answer to the challenge, Seonaid. “He who dares, wins.” I love your photos, especially the second one. 🙂
Thank you, and I’m assuming you’re daring to cross the edges 😃
This is very well written and insightful. Your photo add another layer.
Thank you Suzanne, delighted you enjoyed it😊
I like boundaries for their clarity of structure but seeing these magical borders between the elements, I’d venture more than a toe!
Maybe soft hazy boundaries are easier to cross Laura, less dramatic and more of a slow transition…so that you’ve crossed before you notice 😉
Great post for the theme! We should get our feet wet…
Indeed, wet feet leads to fun 😃
🙂
Lovely post Seonaid, and yes indeed we definitely found the same wavelength this week!
Funny the way that happens….great minds😃
Your dog certainly doesn’t allow boundaries to stop him from doing what he wants 🙂
That’s very true Colline, I suspect that dogs negotiate boundaries in a slightly different, leap first think later, style!! Might be simpler to be a dog 😉
This post is wonderful and yes I am ready to get my feet wet and allow my world to expand. Thank you for this.
Madeleine that’s great to hear, and wet feet can lead to all sorts of fun adventures! Delighted you enjoyed the post😊
Interesting you should ask those profound questions. 🙂 The last couple of years, my life has taken a few u-turns. Some I resisted and some I actually grieved about. But I’ve arrived at a place where I see and smile at the light of the new day every morning and embrace whatever forks in the road I arrive at. 🙂
Judy that sounds like a wonderful rich place you’ve arrived at. It sounds as though you’ve spend some time and effort in negotiating your boundaries, isn’t it great when we begin to feel relaxed and confident with life’s flow 😊