Healthy Environments to Grow In

I was doing some gardening today. It feels good to dig in the dirt, put seeds into the soil, cover them over, and then wait for them to germinate. Or even better, to place already growing plants into new soil and watch them grow in all directions.

With plants, it is easy to see, over time, what they need. I often end up moving a plant around several times to discover where they will achieve optimal growth and health. I always remember a purple vine that nearly died until I put it in a west window. There, it grew over ten feet long and had lush and velvety leaves. It looked happy in that spot!

We can apply this to ourselves as well. What environments nourish you? With whom do you feel that you become the best you? Do you feel yourself wilting and become a “lesser” you around some people or places? Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Is it time for a change? Where do you belong? With whom do you feel safest?

Have you outgrown your old spaces? In recovery, we frequently tell people, “If nothing changes, nothing changes.” To stay in your old pre-recovery skin, is to doom yourself to stagnation. Are you feeling bored? Maybe you’ve outgrown yourself and the life you used to lead. Is it time to step out of your comfort zone and move forward? You don’t have to make leaps, small steps become big steps over time.

Change can be scary but even scarier is staying in a life that was created by a pre-recovery you. As you change, your life will reflect this. Let yourself grow and trust yourself to your changing life. You don’t want to be like a misplaced plant, shriveling up and dying because you aren’t getting the “nutrients” you need. Be like that ten foot purple vine whose leaves grew large and velvety and that went further than it ever imagined it could go.

Let go and grow—

Mary

9 thoughts on “Healthy Environments to Grow In”

  1. Mary, your writings are so inspirational.
    They apply to so many people’s everyday life.
    By reading these it will make me change the way I approach everyday life.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Carla

    1. Thank you for your feedback Carla!! I appreciate knowing that my experiences can touch the lives of others.
      Wishing you the best on your journey,
      Mary

  2. Good day! This post could not be written any better!

    Reading through this post reminds me of my old room mate!
    He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him.
    Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks
    for sharing!

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