Boundaries/Markers

Recently I heard a man say that football wouldn't be much of a game if there were no sidelines and goal lines. He said the boundaries create the playing field, inform us what is out of line, and let us know when to cheer.

It reminded me a bit about developing marketing plans. We always build into the plan measurable goals. We plan in advance to track the results of our marketing efforts -- so that we will know when to celebrate success.

I've heard experts say that children have to have boundaries in order to learn what is acceptable in life and what isn't. A child reared with no rules grows up with no context for his/her own behavior. And a child that tests boundaries does not really want the rules removed; quite the opposite: the child most often wants the boundary confirmed, wants to be able to count on stable contextual cues.

Markers are also important to children. Birthdays are the most obvious example. Moving to the next grade in school is another one. Other important ones are getting a driver's license, getting a job, graduation ceremonies.

Considering boundaries and markers made me think about the rhythms of adult life. There is a comfort associated with schedules and responsibilities. I remember after my dad retired that he joked about Wednesdays being a big day because it was trash day so for him there was something to do that day of the week! Apparently, for some retirement is challenging because it stretches into the future like a vast wasteland with no markers or boundaries.

I'm wondering if the issue of 'context' for our lives -- set by boundaries and markers -- is one of those fundamental needs we humans have. After all, we have to have some way of knowing when we are out of bounds and when to celebrate.