This morning, I watched April the giraffe give birth to her fifth calf along with 300,000 other people glued to the live webcam at Animal Adventure Park in New York. I’m a sucker for anything ‘baby’ … giraffe or puppy, duckling or human! Watching the miracle of birth is also something that will enrapture me anytime. ‘Tis the season for babies, birth and blossoms.
Spring is here!
Spring is also a season of TRANSFORMATION. As the sun comes out, the birds start singing, the flowers bloom, and the calves are born, we, too, are internally driven to grow and change, to re-awaken and transform. There is a desire to blossom – not just shift, but be bigger, bolder, more awake and alive. I say…. “LET’S DO IT” !
Here are 5 Tips – 5 Elements of Transformation that will set the stage for lasting growth and change and simple practices to realize each element. Happy Spring!
The 5 Elements of True TRANSFORMATION
- Commitment
- Nurturance
- Patience
- Perseverance
- Gratitude
COMMITMENT
Unlike the caterpillar who is biologically driven to transform into a butterfly, if you want transformation in your life, you need to consciously choose to make the changes you deem important. Making the choice and then making a commitment to your own growth are the critical first steps. Commitment requires courage and follow-through. Transformation is not an event, but a process and commitment is basically the navigation system – it keeps you going on your path and helps get you back on track when you take a misstep. One of my favorite quotes about commitment is by Goethe:
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
The universe is waiting to support you and the first step is making a commitment to yourself – your dreams, your goals, your growth.
Practice
- Buy a journal – one especially for this journey. There are some beautiful journals available on Amazon and Etsy. Locally, you can find some blank journals/ sketchbooks at Copperfields and Fine Lines Art Supply.
- Brainstorm all that you want to create for yourself – what are you driven to do, have, be?
- Choose one dream. Write it down as a commitment. Your commitment may be to the exploration of a bigger, bolder, more awake YOU or it may be a commitment to an action, a new job, a fun adventure, or a renewed and passionate relationship. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
In the spirit of transformation, I am committed to ….
I am committed to manifesting …..
My commitment to myself this Spring is to ….
NURTURANCE
Once you commit to your own transformation, a healthy dose of nurturing and self-care is essential. Flowers do not blossom without water. Bumblebees need nectar to flourish. Tender care is essential for the growth of a newborn. Dreams do not manifest without attention. Healthy food, plenty of water, deep sleep, daily movement, many hugs, and an abundance of encouragement is necessary for continual growth. This aspect of transformation is often the hardest for most people. Taking time to nurture yourself is often challenging. It always seems easier to feed the kids, fill up their water bottles, water the flowers and offer a hug to a friend than it is to pay attention to your own needs. Sometimes you don’t even know your own needs. Take time to explore your needs and nurture yourself this Spring. Help yourself blossom and grow so that your dreams may be realized on the foundation of a strong and healthy YOU.
Practice:
- Assess your current self-care practices – what are your strengths and where do you need to change ? Here is a self-care quiz to help you get started.
- Explore your needs, desires, dreams – invest in yourself and your growth. Here are a couple ideas for ways to start this journey of exploration:
Start Where You Are ~ Self Exploration Journal
- Commit to at least one self-care action each week.
- Share your commitment with your friend/family and ask for support and encouragement!
PATIENCE
Transformation takes time. You may not see visible changes right away. Don’t hurry the process. Notice the small successes. Nurture yourself. Breathe. Be gentle with yourself. Keep moving forward. Be patient.
From Zorba the Greek:
I remember one morning when I discovered a cocoon in the back of a tree just as a butterfly was making a hole in its case and preparing to come out. I waited awhile, but it was too long appearing and I was impatient. I bent over it and breathed on it to warm it. I warmed it as quickly as I could and the miracle began to happen before my eyes, faster than life. The case opened; the butterfly started slowly crawling out, and I shall never forget my horror when I saw how its wings were folded back and crumpled; the wretched butterfly tried with its whole trembling body to unfold them. Bending over it, I tried to help it with my breath, in vain.
It needed to be hatched out patiently and the unfolding of the wings should be a gradual process in the sun. Now it was too late. My breath had forced the butterfly to appear all crumpled, before its time. It struggled desperately and, a few seconds later, died in the palm of my hand.
That little body is, I do believe, the greatest weight I have on my conscience. For I realize today that it is a mortal sin to violate the great laws of nature. We should not hurry, we should not be impatient, but we should confidently obey the external rhythm.
Let us obey the eternal rhythm and be patient with our own transformation. Allow your own wings to unfold gently, then you will fly.
Practice:
Buy a 50-piece puzzle. Choose a design that you love that inspires you. Put the puzzle together ONE PIECE A DAY. Do not cheat. As you watch your beautiful image unfold, notice your own blossoming, your own transformation manifesting.
PERSEVERANCE
I took this photo three years ago while hiking in Sonoma at the beginning of Spring. I was so thrilled to see this little mushroom had pushed its way up through the soil. I love this reminder of the perseverance it takes to get where we are going. Transformation is not easy. It requires work. Sometimes we are up against a whole pile of dirt and other times it is smooth sailing. Let this little mushroom remind you that you can do it!
Practice:
- Reflect upon all of the times you have persevered when the ‘going got tough’ – when the odds were against you.
- Write down in your journal all of the ways that you have persevered over time.
- Take a photo, draw, paint or write a piece of music that represents your own perseverance as a reminder of your resiliency, commitment and courage.
GRATITUDE
When we get to our destination, it is time to celebrate and most importantly, experience the gratitude for ourselves and anyone who helped us along the way. Gratitude is contagious and as research has shown, this simple experience can lead to profound benefits in all areas of our lives. Check out this diagram of the Benefits of Gratitude based on more than than 40 research studies on gratitude.
Seriously? Who wouldn’t want all of those delightful benefits? If you want a year of transformation, how about infusing your life with gratitude and see if you too feel these blessings!
Practice:
Write a gratitude list daily, weekly or monthly. There are a number of gratitude journals and exercises available on the internet. You can even create a gratitude jar for yourself and/or with your family!
Spring Into Your Life ~ Make a commitment to your transformation, nurture your whole being, be patient, persevere when life presents obstacles, and be grateful for your blessings.
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