Make Room to Grow
“AGAIN?!?!” my friend exclaimed and looked at me with shock. I explained that I was moving again and asked to borrow their truck for probably the 7th time in as many years. I love change and moving into a new environment has been a creative endeavor for me since early adulthood. Some of the moves were out of necessity and others due to personal preference, but either way I was energized by the possibility of finding new ways to create space and experience life from a new perspective. While I am firmly rooted in my current community, I deeply enjoy morphing through one iteration of being into another. Like a vivacious houseplant, growth often requires repotting and a change of container to continue thriving.
We may find the need to “replant” parts of our lives and find space to spread out, reach for further ground, and flourish in more open spaces. This could be changes in our physical environment, the shift of new boundaries in relationship, or creating new practices and routines in order to invite more meaning into our lives. It may even require examining perennial thoughts and beliefs that aren’t serving us anymore to usher in new sprouts of ideas that are more supportive in the present moment. It can be renewing to weed out that which makes the heart feel constricted, small or suffocated.
Let’s be honest, creating and settling into a new container can be messy. While the ultimate goal of change may be desirable, and sometimes necessary, the chaos and deconstruction of a long-held routine, relationship or space can feel pretty unsettling at times. In fact, moving into a new space of thought, action or a room we love can lead to uncertainty as we face the unfamiliar, strange or down right different. It is here, in the chaos, when our heart may try to convince us that we are doing it “wrong.” Self-doubt can creep in as we experience new levels of discomfort during shift of habits, environment, connections or thinking. The experience of discomfort is where we unearth healing and fortify our roots.
I had a recent conversation with friends about courage. We agreed that courage is not a divine download of bravado, angels singing and actions oiled with ease. Rather, it is a real willingness to be uncomfortable, afraid, and uncertain while moving towards the change we seek. Courage isn’t about feeling strong and unwavering all the time but can be about trust that the outcome is worthy of the transformation we have to go through. A “bonus” feature of courage and change is that the end result is not quite what we imagined but can become even more than was possible had we stayed firmly planted in the same place. By expanding ourselves to include diverse opportunities in life, we find our visions and desires may even evolve into something more fruitful and lush than ever imagined.
The Center for Vitality and Balance recently uprooted and expanded into a new location full of light, space and gorgeous possibility for rich experiences. With the help and guidance of many people, I believed this was the next best step to serve the community in new and meaningful ways. I am delighted to be here and excited to welcome you into the space to participate in many nourishing activities.
Relocating the Center has been filled with joy and hard work. There were endless details and steps to take to transform what was in existence and make room for it to grow. I had many sleepless nights wondering how it would all come together, tears of doubt and frustration when things didn’t come together as I hoped and lots of experiences that required presence and courage. All of it revealed to me my thoughts about faith and learning how to dig deeper to create something of meaning. While the physical move is complete, the repotting process has just begun in some ways as we all learn what will work to serve the healing, growth and becoming for each us of in our new containers.
As the New Year unfolds, I hope that you are able to take some time to look around your containers. What in your life feels too small? What activities or habits leave you feeling parched for something more meaningful? Where would you like to breathe new life into your thoughts, beliefs or relationships? Consider what actions you can take to re-pot these things that are ready to grow. May you experience profound meaning and healing in the process.