What is Growth?
These past few weeks, I have spent some time reflecting on my personal and professional growth recently and what it means to grow going forward in a new day and time. I was looking through old images and became very introspective.
I stepped back into the day thirteen years ago that I photographed a wedding in Carlisle, Pennsylvania for one of my earliest weddings. It was a cold, wintery, blustery, FREEZING January day and yet all I remember is the warmth of this couple's love glowing into the camera. I remember hopping from foot to foot to keep my toes warm in dress shoes and hurrying to catch the end of winter's daylight and the radiant smiles of friends and family. I have more professional knowledge than I did at that moment, but I still feel so much joy looking back at that day and that to me is beautiful and admirable and thought-provoking.
Growth is Change
That being said, my 2024 Word of the Year is Growth. How can I recognize space for personal growth and still move forward in kindness to myself?
The plant analogy never fails on this...
One never criticizes a plant for being small. One never belittles or insults a baby plant for its diminutive size. One simply cares for it and encourages it (I heard that talking to your plants is very helpful!) and waters it and puts it near sunlight.
Growth begins with kindness and self-awareness. Growth can be admitting that with new knowledge, one can take new action - better action.
Growth is a settling into a new version of yourself.
Growth is moving in a new direction - however slight - to have a new result.
Growth happens best when you're not "beating yourself up" over the past.
Like a little plant, we humans adapt and grow best when treated gently - even when talking to ourselves. So go and be a good plant mom.... to yourself today!
Growth is Gradual
Speak kindly, water appropriately, get some sunlight and that growth will come. Slowly, but surely.