Creating the Space for Growth

True growth begins at the root. New roots cannot be created if there is no space for them to be planted. In order to create space for new growth, you must begin by throwing out the old. A wise woman recently told me, “The place where you die is the same place where you grow”. Meaning, you have to be willing to let parts of yourself die in order to let the new parts of yourself grow. A new part of yourself cannot establish roots if there are old nasty roots that are still occupying that part of yourself.

The process of letting go and/or letting die becomes a little less painful if you are able to visualize what it is that you would like to invite in as new. Being able to visualize the new nurturing growth is an amazing way to solidify your commitment of letting go of the old nasty roots. Being able to clearly see what is serving you and what is dragging you down are key components to understanding this process of letting go in order to let grow!

We all hold onto things all the time that do not really nurture our growth. We develop habits and repeat relationship patterns all the time. What we foster will grow, and what we ignore will eventually whither and die. Though where you place your attention and focus will determine which will grow and which will whither and die.

The first step to creating the space for growth is to figure out what your current habits and patterns are. Then figure out what habits and patterns serve you and others around you in a positive way and which ones lead you and others down disastrous paths. This is a step-by-step process that includes conscious living. You must be willing to pay attention to the teachers and natural lessons that are presented to you in life. You have to be willing to take responsibility for your choices and actions as they relate to how they support or hinder different components of your growth. Once you’ve figured out which pieces support you and which ones hinder you, the process of letting go to let grow can begin.

Take one component in your life that is holding you back, bringing you down, halting your growth. Really be willing to stare this component of your life in the face, shake hands with and be willing to consider waving goodbye. Identify how it’s holding you back and then identify what is preventing you from letting go of it. Next, visualize the positive nurturing place you would rather be within this realm of your life. Then list the components that you would need to foster and nurture in order to support the planting of these new roots.

Thus the process of creating the space for growth has begun….
1) You have been able to recognize what is and isn’t working for you.
2) You have been able to see what the negative effect of this habit/pattern is doing to you and others.
3) You have been able to visualize the benefits of letting go of this unsupportive pattern/habit
4) You can continue with the process of letting the old roots die so the new roots will have a space to be planted. (Again, “the same place where you die is the same place where you grow”)
5) You have identified some of the components necessary to support the planting and the nurturance of the new root.

This is the simplest way to explain the process of change. Not everything needs to completely die in order for new things to grow. Often, you can simply sprout another branch on your tree of growth. But I’m not talking about adding on to something already wonderful, I’m talking about getting rid of nasty habits and patterns that do not support the whole of you to continue to blossom and grow.