The Invisible Impact of Investing in YOU
The other day I glanced at my window and noticed that an orchid plant I have was ready to bloom. Every year between the months of February and March it produces 2 incredible flowers and then goes dormant for the remainder of the year. It’s like a quick firework display on the 4th of July and then radio silence for a long time.
What struck me the most was the realization that I have owned this orchid for 11 years without managing to kill it. 11 years! That time span is miraculous given the fact that I received it when my 11 year old son was a baby. How on earth had I managed to keep it alive for so long?
As I mulled over this thought, I realized that the reason it was still thriving was due to the fact that I nurtured it and gave it attention. Diligent, consistent, enduring attention over a VERY long period of time.
This simple flower invited me to think about people who struggle to thrive and why so many are suffering through challenges that seem to lead nowhere. I see people spinning their wheels who get stuck and wonder how to move forward.
In my coaching practice, the number one factor I see that shifts a person past their stuck points is learning to nurture and attend to oneself. Taking the time to prioritize self-care, going within and asking big questions around what it is you want and desire, and investing time and resources toward creating a healthy support system are all ways of encouraging growth and new awareness. When we see ourselves and the stories we create in a new light, the ability to open to opportunities and possibilities tends to shift. All of a sudden, we move from a paralyzed place of fear and doubt and start living into the dreams that previously were just thoughts in our minds.
This isn’t to say there won’t be times of discomfort when we are stretched beyond the familiar. In fact, you can expect this to come with the territory of change. It is a proven point that all growth demands some form of pain as we let go of the past and forge into unknown realms ahead. This is the crux of any good storyline and even the biology of our ecosystem reveals the process of releasing old dead growth to make way for the new.
It seems quite simple but makes so much sense. When you tend to yourself in a loving way, it is inevitable that expansion and development will only naturally emerge. By making room for practices that feed into who we are, we are by definition fertilizing our own soil for the ensuing transformation that ultimately will result. Conversely, if we neglect this important step, we will surely remain stuck and trapped.
Does this mean you will need to make different decisions? YES. Will you have to say no to some things in order to say yes to yourself? YES. Will it be scary and uncomfortable at times? ABSOLUTELY. But just like the orchid, as you slowly nurture ALL parts of who you are, one day you will stumble upon the biggest, brightest blossom that may both astound you and catch you by surprise all at once.
