How to Grow, With Kindness

Allow yourself the permission to be in process. We are taught to prize outcomes over process, but give yourself permission and time to be in process.

Struggle in the beginning is not as cool as a movie montage. Your struggle may be longer, but you can still add inspiring music. Growing is hard, it is not often like the movies, but it is still beautiful.

Feel the uncomfortable feelings. We often think that easy means “this is right”, and hard means “this is wrong.” Easy is not confirmation of ANYTHING, it is just easy. Hard doesn’t mean what you are doing is wrong, it is just hard. Feel the hard feelings, but define them accurately.

It is ok to believe in yourself first. And it is important. We scan others for permission and approval, but it’s not necessary.

Listen for the old tapes. Being a beginner is a great time for all the old tapes you might have about your unworthiness to get loud. Greet these old tapes like an old friend, and then thank them for their attempts to protect you from this vulnerability, and let them go.

“A river cuts through rock not because of it’s power, but because of it’s persistence.” Jim Watkins. Keep going. Persistence is not flashy, but it is powerful.

Differentiate yourself from what you do, and what you are learning. Your worth is separate from your process and progress. You are valuable and unfinished.

Be gentle with yourself. Take your time.