Over the past few days there seems to be a recurring theme. Not just for me but for others around me.

Growth is often uncomfortable. And I suppose that makes sense. Think of the caterpillar making its cocoon and then coming out…slowly spreading the new wings. It is truly an amazing process. Not really unlike our own processes of growth.

It is hard enough to make change, grow, have patience with yourself and keep moving forward. It’s quite another thing though to realize that while you are working at all of this, others are not. They are not interested in looking within. They are not willing to look in the mirror and take accountability for their actions, their part and the consequences from their choices.

This can be extremely frustrating (in my experience) because it will seem like you finally come to a point where you notice your own personal improvements and behaviour changes and then BooM you are faced with a situation where you now need to go beyond your current bandwidth because someone else cannot go beyond theirs. It’s like you want to stomp and say ‘Why am I the one that has to change? Why can’t they?’

And THAT, right there in that moment is when growth happens. The moment you see it happening in real time and can choose your next step, or response or how to navigate the current situation. It is not easy. It is not always comfortable. But when you become aware of your situation, surroundings and what is happening you cannot just suddenly be unaware anymore. You are now awake. You have grown.

A happy life consists not in the absence but the mastery of hardships.

~ Hellen Keller