Universal Truth of Growth
This year has been filled with some personal challenges, and I recently took some time to reflect on how I have changed because of those hard conversations, shameful performances, and painful events. There were growing pains for sure, and as I sat with my past experiences, I was able to appreciate the path that eventually led me to stronger faith, deeper self-confidence, better communication, and liberating authenticity. In doing so, I realized that this is a common process of progression in this life and I believe an eternal truth.
Humans are driven by progress and transformation. We are not made to sit in stagnation. Don’t believe me? Just reflect on the industrial progress of the past 100 years! Our minds are processing hundreds of thousands of data messages every day, and this without a doubt impacts our thoughts and our actions. The challenge comes when we can’t see the purpose and doubt the end results.
In my swimming, this concept was so simple and easy to understand. I didn’t enjoy the hard workouts that seemed to never end, but I knew that they were designed to make me better. I had faith that these moments of pain and suffering would make me faster and give me greater confidence at the end of the season. This understanding of the process not only made the sets more bearable, but I also looked forward to these challenges and felt a sense of eagerness to test my limits. A simple concept of truth in one arena is able to be applied to others.
A phoenix needs to ultimately self-destruct before it is reborn as the most beautiful version of itself. In order for new earth to be created, the volcano must erupt with its molten lava. A diamond is formed under extreme pressure and heat. The sinner reaches for salvation only when there is no other form of relief. And our Mother Eve realized that the only way to experience joy was by also experiencing pain and sorrow. The life application of this pattern is that the pain, embarrassment, and frustration of these bottom moments are necessary steps in our growth and should not be seen as negative but rather natural and expected.
Often times, we are so resistant to pain and challenge that we go into self-preservation mode by avoiding and backing down from the challenges. In doing so, we miss an important opportunity to embrace the new perspective, increase our strength and gain a richer appreciation that can come only after such moments of pain and struggle.
I echo so many fantastic authors like Brene Brown and Sheryl Sandberg in cheering us on as we dare greatly and lean into the discomfort of challenges and perceived failures. See them for what they are: the necessary paths to our more beautiful selves and greater joy. Thus, as a result, we might feel ourselves stretching for disconfirming information and increasing our capacity to face these moments with eager and ready minds.
Lacey
