The Roller-Coaster of Personal Growth: Embracing the Hardship with Self-Compassion
Embarking on the journey of personal growth, I've learned that my most significant ongoing lesson is compassion.
Personal growth isn't a walk in the park. It demands time, discipline, perseverance, and above all, compassion. At least, that's what I've come to realize along the way. I used to think I had compassion, but when it came to how I treated myself, I had shockingly little of it. I was always pushing myself, striving tirelessly to reach the goals I'd set.
When I first stepped onto the personal growth path, I envisioned working on my 'stuff,' believing that once done, life would be a smooth, never-ending joyride. Oh, how naive I was! Personal growth doesn't have a finish line; it's more like an addiction, an addiction to happiness.
So, I hit what I thought was a major milestone in elevating my consciousness, and for a while, I truly believed I'd made it. No more obstacles, right? I sailed into Happiness Lalaland for about six glorious weeks. Then reality struck. Another roadblock appeared, a new path to navigate and clear to shift further towards my true destiny.
How would that make me feel?
I’d feel sad because my manifestations weren't materializing, or I’d feel despondent, thinking I hadn't made much progress on my personal journey, despite all the effort. I'd even get upset with all the coaches, teachers, and self-help books that had helped me along the way. Most of all, I would be mad at myself for believing in something that seemed just out of reach.
Stress would creep back in, old fears that I thought I'd conquered would paralyze my progress once more. It was hard, and it was annoying. I'd clear one block only to discover another just a month later, gradually transitioning from unconsciousness to consciousness, one step at a time, becoming a little more aware.
So, I wondered, would this cycle of blocks ever cease? Would I finally reach that flow I'd heard so much about? It felt close yet obstacles persisted.
In those moments, I realized that it was time to pause and practice an essential virtue—self-compassion. Here's what I do:
I express gratitude to myself: I look back and acknowledge all the small steps I have taken and the fears I have conquered. It's time to be grateful and say 'thank you' to myself.
Self-care: I indulge in something special for myself, whether it's a massage, a meal, quality time with friends, or a homemade feast. I set aside a day each week to nurture self-love.
Seeking self-love guidance: Through journaling, I seek guidance from my inner self, the part of me that brims with love, wisdom, and maturity.
But then, another thought emerged: this is the game's rule. Without hardship, what would life be? A monotone line? Would we truly appreciate moments of joy and happiness? I realized my brain gets used to everything, even those moments I once cherished so much. They turn mundane without growth, without challenge.
Accepting the hardship as the rule of the game, without judgment, but by embracing them as lessons to learn.
Without hardship, there is no happiness. Without suffering, there is no compassion. Growth is the essence of life.
Embrace hardship with self-compassion, and the path to happiness unfolds.
What about you? How do you practice self-compassion? Any tips on how to navigate personal growth?
