I had an “interesting” experience recently.
Translation: Not fun, didn’t like it, brought up old pain.

As high achievers – outliers – we are often triggered by feeling dismissed, misunderstood, not fitting in. I’m sharing this as a reminder of how these feelings can get touched off – even when you’ve done a lot of inner work, and how using these experiences can bring us closer to who we want to be and the impact we want to have in the world.

Something happened recently. It wasn’t a big deal, but I felt dismissed. I was aware that I was triggered (briefly) and then thought this was a message from the universe not to be distracted, along with a reminder that this relationship didn’t serve me.

Later, talking about it with a good friend, they suggested that my perception of the event could be correct, but also suggested some other perspectives that might also be true.

Opening to the conversation, I realized that while I had been good at putting up boundaries with this person, I hadn’t followed what I strive to do: come from love. I had welcomed the messages of staying on purpose and had even pretty much forgiven them for some outrageous behavior years ago, but I never opened my heart to them again.

Yes…you can forgive, come from love, and maintain boundaries.

While I still think this was a reminder about the nature of this relationship, and a reminder to stay focused on my purpose, I realized that opening my heart, coming from love, and being open to a multitude of possibilities, would create powerful healing of old, deep wounds for me and healing for them (without them even being aware of it). It would raise my vibration and power up what I’m here to do and how I’m here to serve even more.

I was able to have empathy for them and see that they might have been trying to do something positive, but because of who they are, their trauma, and their experiences, it didn’t come across that way. They weren’t optimizing their Power Drivers to create what they desired in their relationships with others…impacting their business and overall well-being.

Sometimes, the smallest triggers can be our greatest teachers when we recognize they are gateways and stay open to deeper possibilities. They show us where we can grow from strength to even greater power.

What experiences have helped you discover new depths of possibility?

How do you navigate the balance between boundaries and an open heart?