“Sometimes when you’re in a dark place you think you’ve been buried but you’ve actually been planted.” – Christine Caine

The past two years and even recent months, may have been experienced as a roller coaster by many people and as we have now settled into the new year, we rest a bit and take stock of where we are. We may even realign our goals as we plan for the year ahead.

Many questions come up – How much did I spend? How much did I give? How many times have I been used? How many times did I offer? How many times have I lost? How much did I lose?  The list of “how many” and “how much” looks endless, albeit it also appears to be very one-sided as well.

This may be one part of the year, where stock-taking and planning ahead is not always such a pleasant event. Similarly, to last year, the impact of the pandemic has perhaps led to the amendment of many dreams, hopes and aspirations.  Some people may even have found themselves in a dark place, feeling like they were buried in a very deep and dark place.  This is also often the time when we forget that the first step to growth in life, is being planted.

Spring had sprung and the first rains fell.  The prospect of renewal had dawned upon us like so many other renewals from before.  Winter is knocking on our doors.  The expectation of growth should be a pleasant one, for being planted is the first step to growth…

Growing is often a painful process, a process where, as human beings, we sometimes try to avoid it at all cost. However, it still finds us.  Only after the process do we step back and have a look at and appreciate the magnificence that was created. So, you may ask…how do I grow?

Here are some tips to help us through the process of growth:

• Accept that life is full of lessons, and as we learn, we grow…
• Acknowledge that we do not know everything; that there are situations where we need to call on the help, guidance and insights of others to help us make sense of what is going on in our own lives. In this way we grow…
• Take time to work with our own healing – on a Biological, Psychological, Social and Spiritual level. Healing takes time, but in this way, we grow…
• Make responsible decisions – always consider all aspects of a decision and realize the impact it may have on your life. Make decisions that will serve you, for in this way, we grow…
• Create balance in your life; be aware of overindulgence or deprivation in situations and think about moderation as a guide. Plants only grow with the right amount of sunlight, water and nutrition. In keeping the balance, we grow…
• Practice one act of self-care every day – taking care of yourself is not selfish. For in this way, we grow…

Suddenly, the realization comes to sit warmly that growing may be a painful experience.  However, when we consider the results and magnificence thereof, we understand and appreciate, like the plants of the earth, we are actually here to grow.