Upland, CA — This past weekend I had the opportunity to spend quality time with my eldest grandson. He is currently taking jiu-jitsu, and I watched him as he methodically showed his skills, concentration, and formation. What I found interesting is the name of the place where he takes his lessons is called Evolve. When I thought about what it means to evolve it shows how we develop gradually over time to become our best self. We experience change and transformation over time if we stay the course, focused, and practice what we are taught. When I looked up the definition of what it means to evolve, it also shares that it includes our ideas, behaviors, relationships, and personal development over time. When we think about it, we should all be in a state of evolving.
March is the month we welcome in Springtime as well as Daylight Savings. This time of year, represents the seasons evolving into a time when things grow and blossom. As I thought about how quickly time is moving and all the things that we have experienced since the new year, I feel a bit stagnant. Then I thought about how we do not always have to be blooming to be growing. Sometimes we can be growing and advancing internally without external signs. We must realize that we are evolving and sometimes the external features just take time to be seen, and we cannot stop or give up. Growth can take place quietly and that is okay. Sometimes when things seem quiet, it could be a time of healing and just like plants we may be growing beneath the surface and eventually the buds will bloom.
The evolution of leadership at the federal level has caused a lot of people to feel lost and confused and possibly stagnated in their growth. Even when there are things that cause us to feel blocked that does not mean we are not growing and making positive advancements. Sometimes we may have to pivot and think of new ways to use our gifts and skills that may stretch us beyond our deepest expectations. I remember someone saying that if we are not growing, we are dying. To some extinct this is true because when we do not try to better ourselves on a regular basis, we are shortchanging what God has for us to live our best lives. We cannot let anyone, or anything stop us from expanding our horizons.
If you are feeling stuck and not sure how to get out of a rut so that you can continue to bloom and grow it first starts with your mindset. Make up your mind that you are going to do something today that will help you grow, stretch, and bloom. There are simple things you can initiate such as going to the library and reading up on new things or take a class online. You can also get your heart pumping and do some exercises or go for a good walk. Just ask yourself why you think you are stuck and how did you get there. Oftentimes when we just pause, reflect, and pray, it will come to us what we should do next. Whenever I get to this place, I call on my “kitchen cabinet.” My kitchen cabinet is made up of the people I trust, and I know they will be honest with me. Also, for those of us who are blessed to live in states such as California where we have amazing weather most of the time, just getting out in the sunshine can go a long way in helping us blossom and grow.
Healing Without Hate: It’s a choice. It’s a lifestyle. Pass it on.
Visit www.WendyGladney.com and www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more. Wendy is a life strategist, coach, consultant, author, and speaker.
