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Don’t Cross That Line! (What Line?)

by Ruth Ann Harnisch on 01/17/10 at 12:06 pm

Day 17

I’ve been firm about stepping back from my usual work, and yet some people continue to knock at my figurative door.

It reminds me of the last time I was in Jerusalem, for a conference, sleeping deeply as one does in the throes of jetlag.  The near-coma came to a jarring halt as I became conscious of a persistently ringing doorbell.  I staggered to the hotel door, and opened it to find a housekeeper.  “Do you not see this red Do Not Disturb light? Do you not see this Do Not Disturb sign on my doorknob?” I asked, clearly disturbed.

“Yes,” she said, “But I just wanted to know when I can disturb you.”

It was such a great metaphor that I’ve always been grateful for that experience – some people will ignore my agenda because it conflicts with their agenda. Some of them will be as blatant as that Israeli housekeeper, deliberately ignoring the red light and the sign on the door.  Others will be more subtle, saying, “I know you said you weren’t doing this, and I’m so happy for you! Let me just ask you one question…”

I can set my boundaries, and some people will circumvent them.  How will I respond?  This year, I will be mindful of being on Border Patrol.