Growth

What is growth? Is it purely evidence of change or is it something else? If we don't have any evidence of growth does this mean that change did not occur? Can we choose what aspects of ourselves grow while others remain stagnant?

Growth has evidence, but can also be so "invisible" or so little that we may not even notice it. Some aspects of ourselves seem to grow while others are at a standstill. I believe that we choose what aspects of ourselves grow or diminish depending on effort, attitude, passion and patience with the process.

"Dream" 2017

In plants, growth is usually measured by change in height, the appearance of new leaves, roots and flowers. These gradual changes are so exciting to witness, and plant growth is a great metaphor for human growth.

We welcome growth that is evident, and somewhat shun growth that is unseen. For instance the appearance of new roots, because they are within the soil we cannot see them clearly (usually not at all) but it does not mean they are not changing and expanding.

Now consider thoughts, they too are like roots that are hidden (for the most part) from the external observer.

What I know to be true in my life is that thoughts are the roots of all that we do and are. And our thoughts are continuously (and miraculously and gradually expanding. As long as we live this will be the case.

When plants have poor roots they cannot succeed towards their full potential. This is the same for us. Our thoughts drive our habits, and habits bring us to places of opportunity.

Here's an example, when I was in highschool I began working at a gym, I spent a good amount of time with some REALLY fit people; we would discuss fitness routines, nutrition, and work out clothes. It's not surprising that I had a very strict diet, and was obsessed with the way my body looked. Clearly at that time I was so plugged into/ thinking about fitness so much it produced habits that supported those thoughts. (this also reminds me of the power of environment which I will discuss later on...)

Throughout my life I have altered habits, and dropped habits altogether, and I think of all of these as different fruits of my life. Some of the habits I was cultivating were keeping me from opportunities, (i.e. binge watching Netflix, instead of reading a great book) while others were life giving (Working out and taking care of my body).

We like to think that all growth is good growth, but this is not the case. I assure you reader that growth is evidenced by positives and negatives equally. As the evidence of growth in plants is purely empirical, human growth can be 'measured' or observed in many more ways.

A lot of the growth we talk about can be supported with hard facts:

Gains and/or losses,

hair lengths and cuts,

making or losing money etc.

We are accustomed to supporting what is empirical. But we need to go deeper still.

I use my plant mom life to mark time passing. The gradual changes that I see in my plants remind me that small incremental changes are happing within and around me everyday. And that I must be careful of what thoughts I entertain and what thoughts I shut down immediately (more on that another soon...)Time moves so fast that we can overlook the root decay and undervalue the growth

in our own lives. We must stay vigilant now more than ever.

When I look across my desk at my cactus ("Dream") who is 4 years old now, I am filled with so much joy because he has grown so much, and yet he did not out grow me.

Wishing you deep and positive roots.

Kelsey