There is a wonderful quote by Margaret Atwood, “In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” It reminds me that the days are longer and I get to see life around me sprouting. I look around to see what is growing.
When I think about what is growing, I am reminded of my coaching and healing practice. I describe what I do for a living as bringing people to their growing edge and then welcoming them home. Growing edges are the places in our life we really want to be and live our life from, but are too scared to go there. We can stay away from our growing edge because we fear failure (or even fear success). Going to our growing edge means breaking through our fears of what holds us back.
Going to your growing edge means gaining self-mastery. It’s going to the places that might be uncomfortable, but not going there is even more painful. It’s what Reverend Joyce Meyers refers to in her sermon as, “Do It Afraid.” It’s showing up to life even when we feel scared, lonely, worried, and insecure. Playing small doesn’t serve anyone, least of all ourselves. It is time to emerge – to go to your growing edge. When everything inside you points you in a new and blossoming direction, it’s time to go to the edge.
When you feel ready to go to your growing edge, I’ll be there – waiting for you.
What is your growing edge?
Here is “My Growing Edge”: In late April, I will be joining Spirit Journeys as an Assistant Guide on their 17 day journey to the wonders of Egypt. Given the recent historic events and revolution in Egypt, I had to be very clear about my decision to travel to a politically uncertain country, consider my safety, and determine my purpose for going. Everything inside me says, “Yes, Go to Egypt!” All I know is that I want to travel on a spiritual adventure with this group who is open to exploring, sharing, experiencing, and listening to the wonders of Egypt, their own hearts, and one another. There is a sense of hope and possibility in Egypt. As a teacher and healer, I am called to go.
That doesn’t mean I am not scared (and doing it petrified!). While another revolution would certainly be scary, my own internal revolution is just as scary. There are cultural and custom etiquettes I have to learn (along with a few Arabic words). I am leaving family and friends for almost three weeks. And last I heard, I was the only woman in our tour group. Talk about going to my growing edge! For me, not going would be more painful. I have the opportunity of a lifetime – to facilitate meditations at the Pyramids, to sail up the Nile, and if I am lucky, to play a doumbek (Egyptian drum) with local residents. It’s time to emerge.
And when I return from my growing edge, I hope you are there – waiting for me!
Mary Anne