Monthly Edition : Growth

It's a process

This time of year, there is visible growth all around. The world is changing, and it reminds us of what is possible in our own lives.

If we pay attention, we know it doesn’t happen overnight. The changes are gradual, and that’s what we must remember for ourselves.

As long as we’re living, we’re changing. A little each day, whether we’re trying to or not. Not everything has to have a plan. Not everything has to be managed. Not every possibility needs to be pursued. There are some things worth our energy, though. We can partner intention with effort in the areas we want to see growth.

It’s important that we know what’s worth the effort. If we want to put a garden in a rocky area, that’s going to require work. If we want to foster deeper relationships, that’s also going to take some intentional effort.

Something to keep in mind: what we do with growth isn’t as important as what we allow. The subtle difference? Growth needs space and not overt control. We can influence our growth, but we cannot demand it look exactly as expected.

Formulas for quick growth don’t necessarily mean better. By bypassing the process it normally takes, we potentially rob ourselves of lasting fruit. Fast growth may seem impressive at first, but only time will tell whether that growth pays off (tasty fruit, a lasting bloom, or sustainable change, as it were).

The gentle truth is that growth is a process, and that’s what it is meant to be!

Consistent efforts beat out all or nothing every time. That’s what leads to sustainable growth and lasting change.

Not all growth is the same. Tulips do not grow the same as apple trees, nor do they do it for the same amount of time or yield the same things. When we’re thinking about growth in our own lives, it is dangerous territory to compare it to others. Though principles may be shared, the expression will not look the same.

The more we get to know ourselves — the more we appreciate who we are — the less concerned we become with how we might or might not measure up to others. We are unique beings! How boring it would be if there were only one type of person — the same hair, accent, build, or personality.

Why then do we try to become carbon copies of one another? Why do we reach for sameness, hiding our differences, rather than standing in the confidence of our own beauty? There’s room enough for all of us to bloom in our own right. Connection is important, and so is authenticity. Together, they create a strong bond for growth.

As we pair intention with effort, growth can not only be a byproduct of the season; it can become a fruitful garden that will nourish us.

In the coming weeks, we’re going to dig into the principles of growth by looking at: the power of a growth mindset, the challenges we might face, practical supports that promote it, and both the freedom and permission to grow as you go.

What is your relationship with personal growth?

Is there an area that you have been wanting to grow in that you feel ready to put some intentional effort toward?

Is there an area that you have felt outside pressure to change but isn’t a priority for you in this season? (Can you give yourself the permission to let that ish go?)