We get into this work because we want to see people experience change for the better. Let’s face it, we love it. It might be when someone recovers from life-threatening illness or secures housing, when they take a risk to look after themselves better or pursue a dream, when they feel less tormented, more resourced, more supported or accept themselves that little bit more.
But the change we want to see starts with us. After all, we’re the only person in this equation that we have control over, and that control can feel tenuous at the best of times. It might be one thing we do that’s not fully aligned with our values. Perhaps we don’t feel as skilled as we could be in a certain area or a shortcut we know we often make. Maybe there is an area of knowledge we have skated over with superficial understanding, hoping it’s enough.
If we’re not careful, however, the list begins with a thoughtful observation and finishes with a tsunami of desired improvements that can overwhelm us or leave us feeling like we just don’t measure up. And then we try to tackle too many things at once or become paralysed by how much work we feel we need to do.
We want to keep growing at a sustainable pace, like a garden in rhythm with the seasons. Sometimes the changes may be hard to perceive from one day to the next. Other times we might have bursts of growth when we’re nourished and rested. Most of the time we just need one small step that moves us forward. And we can decide on the next step after that.
Helen Mentha 