Life is a series of cycles. When one cycle ends, another begins. How do we gather our strength for a new beginning? How do we nourish the roots that support new growth?
What are my roots?
Begin the search for your roots by identifying the qualities you stand on at this point in your life. What values are you using as guideposts? How are you prioritizing the elements of your life right now? When I was in the cycle of being a Content Development Coach, I focused on the qualities of service and creativity and kept attuned to the cycles of growth in others. The cycle I’m in now is retirement, which is focused on deepening my own spiritual awareness and sharing the concept of positive change with others through my writing. The qualities I currently focus on are unfolding, mindfulness and awareness. I want to add the quality of stillness to that. As I find myself being more social than I have ever been in my life in a population that is new to me (seniors), I need to nourish my ability for compassion and patience. Perhaps your roots are focused on your family, your work, or your health. What roots do you need to nourish for this next cycle of your journey?
How will you nurture your roots?
I’m feeding my roots from the inside out: Qi Gong, meditation, study that deepens my relationship with Tao. I have a ritual around those choices, certain things I do every day that nourish me, increase my awareness and help me bring these chosen qualities to the forefront of my life. In my work to move from my happily introverted self into a person that can interact more easily in social settings, I practice. I practice listening more deeply. I pause before I speak. I continue to identify what I need in this next cycle. What steps can you take to nurture your roots in preparation for the upcoming cycle?
Discard the dead wood
Pruning makes a plant stronger. It eliminates the dead wood and leaves space for new growth to flourish. What do you need to prune that will help your roots grow stronger? I keep letting go of possessions and old beliefs. I structure my life to include only what nourishes me. I volunteer only for work and activates that I truly want to do. I make room in my life to welcome in the new cycle.dead wood can you cut away in order to nourish new growth in the upcoming cycle?
Let your new cycle unfold
You often can’t clearly identify what your next cycle is, especially since there are cycles within cycles. I’m in the beginning of a cycle of retirement. I’ve been through a cycle of letting go of what I used to do and who I used to be. I’ve been in a cycle of searching for ways to deepen my spirituality. I’m in a cycle of studying change and how to do it gracefully and end up with positive outcomes. And woven throughout all of that is my emergence into a diverse senior population that has created many opportunities to learn more about myself and to adjust what doesn’t work. The cycles overlap. I can only watch them unfold and do what I can with what shows up. I’m always looking for a lesson in a circumstance and I always find one. Watch for signs and signals that suggest options and new possibilities. Notice what calls to you in the moment and explore that. Look at choices as an opportunity to explore, not a concrete path to follow.
Nourish the roots you need for new growth.
If you need a new skill, develop it. If you need to change a belief, change it. If you need to find a new circle of friends, find then. If you need to change your job or your business, change it. The nourishing of my spiritual evolution is what is serving me most in my life right now. It has manifested in the incredible calm and serenity that continues to deepen with every day. I solve problems in a quiet, patient manner that allows others to unfold at their own pace. My own responses are less emotional, more accepting. I’m nurturing my whole being with a plant-based diet, the practice of Qi Gong, daily meditation and on-going study of the principles of Taoism. That’s the combination that seems to be working for me. How will you nurture the roots you need for new growth?
