“I’m in a good place, I’ve come so far.”
Putting on the brakes can feel like giving up. It’s hard to fully let go of what we know and embrace new opportunities. Unleash a new chapter, blank page. Yet, it is that feeling of growth that makes us feel alive – our soul starts breathing again with every step forward. So don’t be afraid to give yourself permission to grow. Read on.
Many of us think that growth is about the things we do – while this may hold true for some, it’s really how you feel in these moments that matter to you. It’s not what happens to us but our reaction that determines whether a situation will have positive or negative impact on ourselves and others. This blog post was written for those who need some reminders about their own personal growth process and why they should keep going because there are so many things yet to be explored.
The feeling of growth can be a strange one. It’s like you’re watching your life change from the sidelines, and it feels like something is happening to someone else. As if you were in a movie. There’s this excitement about what lies ahead, but also appreciation for all that we’ve already done. The plot goes on. It builds up.
At its core, growth means an increase in potential – not just in our skills and abilities but also in our capacity to love, be loved, care for others, live life more fully. It’s this relative, and very subjective, increase in either quality or quantity. It can be the way we see things, ourselves and others around us. It can be the sheer volume of countable goods – shares, capital, goods.
But here’s a trick. Remember the part about feeling the growth? To really embrace your growth and draw an ultimate joy from the process, you need to focus on your internal reaction. Put all external factors aside. Do not compare to others. You can only compare to where you were yourself.
You don’t need to feel in control, but rather that you are being carried along by events. Think of it as the state of flow. Fully owning up to and being grateful for everything you’re thrown at. Do not let the events in your life overwhelm you. Let acceptance and gratitude be your friends.
Though there will be many unknown outcomes, the feeling of accomplishment will ultimately guide you. It’s the fuel that keeps the engine going. This sense of not knowing what’s going on around you can be scary at first, but as time goes on it starts to feel liberating. And as things start to happen and become clearer, you realise that all those concerns were just part of the process. To really feel the growth you’ve achieved, you have to detach from the daily grind. Let it go, and embrace all that took to you to where you stand now.
This feeling can’t be described by words alone – one has to experience this. I hope this story inspires you to pursue your goals with renewed vigour. There is no finish line waiting at the end of the road, only more room for exploration. Keep running (or walking) until you find yourself smiling – again 🙂
P.S.
The joy of growing is real. The “growing pains” are not – it’s just a term coined to cover up shortcomings.