I posted on my social media a year ago about coming across the parable of the Chinese Bamboo Tree. For me personally, these last few years have been irreplaceable in my personal growth journey. It has been extremely uncomfortable... but out of that discomfort, a quiet confidence has taken root and a passionate, intuitive, empowered woman has grown from this "journey to find my purpose".
And I am ready to shine my light.
Have you heard of the Chinese Bamboo Tree?? It teaches us lessons on patience, faith, perseverance, growth and development and most surprising of all, human potential!
Like any plant, growth of the Chinese Bamboo Tree requires nurturing- water, fertile soil, sunshine.
In its first year, we see no visible signs of activity.
In the second year, again, no growth above the soil.
The third, the forth, still nothing. Our patience is tested and we begin to wonder if our efforts will ever be rewarded.
And finally in the fifth year, Behold a miracle! We experience GROWTH! The Chinese Bamboo Tree grows 80 feet in just six weeks!
But lets be serious- Does the Chinese Bamboo Tree really grow 80 feet in six weeks? Did the Chinese Bamboo Tree lie dormant for four years only to grow exponentially the in that fifth year? Or, was the little tree growing underground, developing a root system strong enough to support its potential for outward growth in the fifth year and beyond?? The answer is, OF COURSE. Had the tree not developed a strong, unseen foundation, it could not have sustained its life as it grew.
The same principle is true for people.
The Chinese Bamboo Tree is a perfect analogy for our own human experience with personal growth and change. It's never easy. Sometimes slow to show any progress. It's frustrating and unrewarding at times. But it is so worth it... especially if we can be patient and persistent in what we feel drawn to do.
When I started my personal growth (spiritual awakening) journey, I was in desperate search for my purpose. And I thought that purpose was motherhood. Michael & I had built a strong foundation in our relationship over those five years of marriage and our also our careers. I felt ready for the next stage of life. That "baby hunger" started to engulf my thoughts.
Little did I know, the Lord knew I needed to wait and heal and expand FIRST.
I needed to mother myself first.
I needed to realize that happiness comes from within and it is not dependent on outside circumstances.
I needed to not base my worth on how other's perceived me- especially if their guidance system/core beliefs were different than mine.
I needed to learn to not compare my journey to someone else's path they were walking for their highest good.
I needed to tap into my personal spirituality and my intuition.
I needed to ultimately come full circle that my worthiness was always there, INSIDE OF ME. And THAT is my purpose! And by me embracing who I was made to be, I can make a difference in this world. The more whole I am, the more of a ripple effect that I can heal and lift others. I needed a reminder how resilient I truly am and I can empower that same truth to others.
This path has helped me grow in ways that I could have ever imagined.
This journey to motherhood, but specifically, adoption, has required me to face discomfort head on. It has taught me that the only way to heal is THROUGH feeling those emotions. That guidance has taught me to follow the feeling of peace.
So, even though I don't have a physical "manifestation" from the work that I've been doing to prepare for my goal of motherhood... I have been watering my soul, caring for my soil, grounding and centering those roots, and reaching toward that sunshine in the sky with my full branches that are flexible to ever changing winds.
I AM STRONG.
And you are, too.
I hope you can realize how important you are and embrace the person you were uniquely made to be. Like a finger print, not one person is the same and THAT is your superpower!
I hope you can prioritize yourself. I hope you know that you are worthy of love.
Whatever goal you have, keep fighting- all of that hard work will be worth it.
Keep faith in your important work that you feel drawn to do. Keep growing.
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