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Caucasian Male Civil Engineer Talking To Hispanic Female Inspector And Using Tablet On Construction Site of New Apartment Complex. Real Estate Developers Discussing Business, Excavators Working.

"Conversational Boundaries: Serving Up the Right Amount at the Right Time"I want to open up about some mistakes I’ve made in the past—mistakes that taught me the hard way about something I didn’t even know existed: conversational boundaries. When I first got into the workforce, I was coming from a place of isolation. I didn’t have many friends, and I was home a lot. So, when I finally had people around me at work, I ended up sharing too much—about my life, my struggles, everything. I didn’t know how to filter what I shared, and honestly, I didn’t realize not everyone was ready for or interested in hearing it all. I was looking for connection, but instead, it backfired and pushed people away.In trying to create bonds, I didn’t realize I was oversharing or putting people in uncomfortable positions, which led to misunderstandings and some hurtful outcomes. It took me a long time to realize that not everyone I meet is meant to hear the full depth of my story. Some parts of ourselves need to be shared in safe spaces, with people who have earned our trust.That’s why I really encourage getting involved in a community, building healthy relationships, and talking to a counselor if needed. We need safe spaces where we can share openly without overwhelming others or putting ourselves at risk.So how can we understand conversational boundaries better? One way to think about it is by comparing a conversation to serving a meal. Imagine you’re hosting a dinner party: you wouldn’t start with dessert—you serve each course in the right order. The same goes for sharing parts of your life in conversations.1. The Appetizer: Sharing Small, Safe Pieces of Your StoryThe appetizer is the first course—a small portion to get the conversation started. In terms of conversational boundaries, this is where you share light, surface-level information. Just like you wouldn’t serve a heavy, complex dish at the start of a meal, you begin with smaller, simpler pieces of your story. This might include your interests, daily activities, or general life updates. It’s an introduction that sets the tone, giving the other person a chance to engage with you.2. The Main Course: Sharing More, When It’s Safe and RightThe main course is more filling, more substantial—just like the deeper parts of your story. You should only share this part of yourself with people who have shown they’re trustworthy. In conversation, this might mean opening up about struggles or more personal details, but you should feel confident that the person is willing and capable of holding space for you. Just like with a meal, you don’t want to serve the main course too early, before the person has shown they’re ready.3. The Dessert: Saving the Deepest, Most Personal Parts for Safe SpacesDessert is the sweet conclusion, and it’s usually the highlight of the meal—but it comes last for a reason. The deepest and most vulnerable parts of your story should only be shared with people who have proven they’re a safe and supportive space. These could be close friends, family, or a counselor. They’ve earned the trust it takes to hear your “dessert”—the parts of you that require understanding and care. Not everyone is entitled to these details, just like not everyone gets to skip to dessert. If you find yourself wanting to jump straight to the deepest parts of your story, it might be a sign you need a safe environment, like therapy or a support group. ---Why Conversational Boundaries MatterI’m sharing this analogy because I learned the hard way that sharing too much, too soon can be overwhelming for others, and it can hurt us when people don’t respond as we hoped. Not everyone is ready to hear everything, and not everyone is a safe place for our stories. Learning to gauge who we’re talking to and deciding how much to share protects both our hearts and our relationships.If you find yourself needing to open up, but you aren’t sure if the setting is right, consider reaching out to a counselor or joining a support group. It’s so important to surround yourself with people who will respect your boundaries and provide you with the right kind of support. Sharing too much in the wrong context can make us vulnerable to those who may not have our best interests at heart. ---Takeaways for Your JourneyAs you move forward, think of conversations like serving a meal. Start small, see how the other person responds, and save the deepest parts of yourself for those who have earned your trust. Protect your heart, protect your story, and make sure the people you choose to share with are worthy of hearing it.With care and compassion, Kathe'rine&nbsp; Founder of Sparrows of Hope

Conversational Boundaries: Serving Up the Right Amount at the Right Time"

"Reflecting on June: A Time for Growth and Learning" As we wrap up the month of June, I want to take a moment to reflect on what this month has meant for us. June is often seen as a time of growth and renewal, a period where we move from spring into summer and embrace new opportunities. It’s also a time to think back on the conversations we’ve had, the lessons we’ve learned, and the growth we’ve experienced, whether personally, emotionally, or spiritually. In the past weeks, we’ve explored topics like active listening, setting boundaries, and healing from past wounds. These aren’t just abstract concepts—they’re tools we can use to help us navigate the challenges of life and relationships. My hope is that as you’ve followed along, you’ve found moments where these messages resonated with your own experiences and encouraged you to reflect, to pause, and to grow. As we head into the next month, let’s carry with us the knowledge that growth doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process. It takes time, patience, and grace. But as long as we remain open to learning and healing, we are moving forward. Take this time to continue practicing the skills we’ve talked about—whether it’s active listening, setting boundaries, or simply making time for yourself to recharge. You deserve that time and care. I’m looking forward to what the next month holds for all of us. Let’s continue this journey together, one step at a time. With care and compassion,Kathe'rine&nbsp;Founder of Sparrows of Hope

"Reflecting on June: A Time for Growth and Learning"

a woman with long hair holding a seashell up to her face

"Turning Down the Noise: The Art of Active Listening"We’ve all been there—someone is talking to us, but we’re not really listening. I know I’ve struggled with this too. There’s a difference between active listening and subjective listening, and understanding this can change the way we communicate with others.Think about it: you’re in your living room, the TV is on, the vacuum is running, the kids are yelling, and someone’s trying to have a serious conversation with you. You might hear them, but you’re not really listening. There’s just too much noise. I’ve missed things in conversations this way—distracted by my own thoughts or the chaos around me. And sometimes, I’ve been guilty of interrupting someone before they’ve even finished speaking, not because I didn’t care, but because I thought I knew how to "fix" the problem.This is subjective listening—listening through the filter of our own thoughts, judgments, and distractions. It’s like trying to hold a conversation with all that noise in the background—you catch parts of it, but you miss the full message.Active listening, on the other hand, is like turning off the TV, setting the vacuum aside, and giving the person your full attention. It’s about focusing on what they’re saying, not just with your ears, but with your mind and heart. It means holding back your urge to respond or to "fix" things and instead, really hearing the other person out.Here are a few ways we can practice active listening:1. Eliminate distractions: Just like you would turn off the vacuum to hear someone better, we need to quiet the distractions in our minds. Take a deep breath before responding, and if you’re on your phone, make a conscious effort to put it down and focus. 2. Listen to understand, not respond: Rather than preparing your answer while the other person is still talking, try focusing on their words and feelings. It’s about understanding their message before jumping in with a solution. 3. Ask clarifying questions: If something isn’t clear, ask for clarification. This helps deepen your understanding and shows the person that you’re truly engaged. 4. Provide feedback: A nod, eye contact, or a simple 'I hear you' can make a big difference. It reassures the speaker that you’re invested in what they have to say. 5. Set boundaries: It’s okay to need a moment to process or revisit the conversation later. Saying, 'I need a minute to think about this' or 'Let’s come back to this when I’m in a better place to listen' can be a way to maintain respect in the conversation. By practicing active listening and creating space for healthy boundaries, we can make sure that both parties feel heard and respected. It’s something I’m working on myself—learning to take a breath, listen fully, and not rush in to fix everything.With care and compassion, Catherine Harlan Founder of Sparrows of Hope

"Turning Down the Noise: The Art of Active Listening"

"So, I decided to try something new the other day—something totally outside of my comfort zone. Usually, I stick to things like Pilates, Aqua Zumba, or water aerobics, but this time I went for a cycle class. And not just the beginner class… no, I went straight for the intermediate one. Let me tell you, it was a challenge. A 55-minute class that pushed me to my limits and left me with a very sore bottom! But you know what? As tough as it was, I walked away with a new appreciation for my body and how it adapts under pressure.This class made me think about how our bodies find a way to handle difficult things when we're pushed to the limit. It’s not just about physical endurance, but also about how we navigate challenges in life. When we’re under pressure, our bodies and minds can surprise us with how they find ways to get through it, and that’s where we move from simply surviving to truly thriving.This lesson can apply to more than just a workout class—it’s also about our physical boundaries. We haven’t talked a lot about physical boundaries, but they’re so important. Just like in a workout, we need to respect what our bodies are telling us. It’s easy to ignore physical boundaries, especially when we’re used to pushing ourselves. But just like when you’re learning something new—whether it’s cycling or Pilates—you have to listen to your body, take breaks, and know when to slow down or stop.Sometimes we break those physical boundaries, either by overextending ourselves or allowing others to cross them. Maybe we’ve allowed someone to be too close or too demanding of our time and energy, or maybe we’ve neglected our own need for rest and care. And when those boundaries are crossed, healing is essential. Just like how you need to rest after a tough workout to recover, your body and mind need space and care to heal when boundaries are broken.So, how do we heal from broken physical boundaries? Start by reconnecting with yourself. Take a moment—whether it’s in a quiet room, a shower, or maybe even floating in a pool—just to check in. How does your body feel? What do you need right now? This self-awareness helps us understand where we’ve allowed those boundaries to weaken and how we can rebuild them.Physical health and boundaries go hand in hand. When we’re mindful of our physical limits, we can push ourselves when it’s appropriate, but we can also protect ourselves from harm. It’s okay to challenge yourself, like trying that new workout, but it’s equally important to listen when your body says, ‘I need a break.’Your body is always communicating with you—whether you’re on a bike, in a pool, or simply going through your day. Respect what it’s telling you. Rebuild those boundaries when they’ve been crossed, and remember that healing is just as much a part of the journey as any challenge you take on.And hey, as you go about your day, remember this—you are worthy of love, worthy of healing, and worthy of setting the kind of boundaries that reflect your true self. You don’t have to carry those bruises alone, and it's okay to ask for help. Whether it's through a counselor or trusted friend, make sure you have someone in your corner as you heal.With care and compassion, Catherine Harlan Founder of Sparrows of Hope"

Finding Balance With Physical Boundaries

Yellow orange fruits and fresh orange juice. Squeezing out the fresh orange.

---"You know, I love a good glass of orange juice to start my day. Freshly squeezed, with the bits of pulp still floating around—just whole and real. There’s something about it that’s comforting, like you know exactly what you’re getting from that glass. But have you ever thought about what happens when the oranges you use aren’t in the best shape? Maybe they’re a little bruised or just not as fresh. The juice comes out kind of bitter, right?It makes me think about how we set boundaries in our lives, especially when we’re dealing with wounds from the past—things like a mother wound or a father wound. When we haven't healed from those bruises, it’s a bit like using damaged oranges to make our juice. It affects the way we show up in the world, the decisions we make, and especially the boundaries we set.And here's the thing: those wounds can create these voids in us, places where we’re just missing something. Maybe it’s a feeling of love or security that we didn’t get growing up. But when those places are empty, we sometimes fill them with things that don’t really belong—like unhealthy boundaries. We might let people in too close or, on the other hand, push them away too far because we haven’t dealt with those deep voids yet.Just like how I have to be careful about the oranges I choose for my juice, we have to be careful about the emotional places we’re working from. If we’re coming from a place of hurt or emptiness, we might not make the best decisions about what’s good for us.But you know what? It’s okay to ask for help with this stuff. Sometimes, we need someone like a counselor to help us sort through the bruised places, so we can heal and set better boundaries. Kind of like filtering out the bad parts of the juice so it tastes just right. We all need that from time to time, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.The bottom line is, even with the wounds we’re carrying, we still deserve to have healthy boundaries. We owe it to ourselves. And if we work on healing those bruises, the boundaries we set will be ones that actually honor who we are, rather than coming from a place of pain. So, next time you’re sipping your morning juice, think about the oranges in your life and how they’re shaping what you put out into the world.And hey, as you go about your day, remember this—you are worthy of love, worthy of healing, and worthy of setting the kind of boundaries that reflect your true self. You don’t have to carry those bruises alone, and it's okay to ask for help. Whether it's through a counselor or trusted friend, make sure you have someone in your corner as you heal.With care and compassion, Catherine Harlan Founder of Sparrows of Hope" ---How does this look? Let me know if you want to make any changes!

Do You like Orange Juice?

A Reflection on Our Journey of Peace and Healing in May Hey friend, As we step into the beautiful month of May, it’s a perfect time to reflect on our journey—our journey toward peace, healing, and everything that makes us stronger. May is a month of renewal, where the world around us seems to blossom in fresh ways. It’s a reminder that we, too, can bloom, no matter how harsh the winter in our lives might have been. --- 1. Embracing New BeginningsMay symbolizes growth and transformation. Just as flowers begin to open up to the sun, we can open up to the light of peace and healing in our own lives. Healing isn’t always easy, and it often comes in stages, just like nature’s own cycles. But in May, we’re reminded that new beginnings are possible. Whatever setbacks or difficult moments we’ve faced, this month offers us a fresh start—a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come and where we want to go. --- 2. Reflecting on the Journey So FarAs you take a moment to pause, think about the healing steps you’ve taken over the past months. Maybe they were small steps, like setting a boundary or taking time for yourself, or perhaps they were larger strides, like forgiving yourself for things that were never your fault. Every step counts. The month of May encourages us to honor the progress we’ve made, no matter how slow it might feel. Your journey is yours, and every moment of healing is a victory. --- 3. May: A Time for PeaceMay also brings a sense of peace, with its gentle breezes and longer days of sunlight. As we continue on this journey of healing, let’s focus on finding peace—not just in our surroundings, but within ourselves. What does peace look like for you this month? Maybe it’s finding a moment of stillness in the morning, or perhaps it’s giving yourself grace when old memories resurface. Let’s use May as a reminder that peace isn’t just something we hope for; it’s something we actively create in our lives, one mindful step at a time. --- 4. Welcoming What’s to ComeAs we move through May, let’s embrace the idea that healing is ongoing. We may still have tough days, but those days don’t define us. This month, let’s focus on welcoming the new—new habits, new thoughts, new ways of caring for ourselves. Is there something you’d like to try this month? Whether it’s a new hobby, spending more time outdoors, or simply giving yourself permission to rest, May offers the perfect space for trying new things that nurture your heart and soul. --- 5. A Season of Self-ReflectionMay is also a time to reflect. What are the lessons you’ve learned about yourself on this journey? How has your vision of peace and healing shifted over time? It’s okay if that vision has changed—healing isn’t a straight path. Sometimes, like the changing seasons, we experience moments of blooming and moments of retreat. Both are important. Take this month to reconnect with yourself and reflect on what peace means to you now. --- Moving Forward TogetherAs we step into May, let’s carry with us the hope that this season brings. You’re not alone on this path—we’re in this together, finding peace, healing, and joy one step at a time. Let this month be a time of gentleness and renewal for your spirit. You’ve come so far, and May is a reminder that there’s always room to grow and heal in new, beautiful ways. Take a deep breath. Embrace the new month. And know that every day is an opportunity to choose peace and healing, no matter what. With love and warmth,Your friend at Sparrows of Hope

Blogs

Conversational Boundaries: Serving Up the Right Amount at...

"Reflecting on June: A Time for Growth and Learning"

"Turning Down the Noise: The Art of Active Listening"

Finding Balance With Physical Boundaries

Do You like Orange Juice?

A Reflection on Our Journey of Peace and Healing in May