Throughout life we are changing. We are a different person now than we were one, five or ten years ago. Our perspective as an adult is different to how we perceived the world as a teenager or child. The attitudes, opinions, and values we hold continue to evolve with our life experience. As the changes are gradual, it is often hard to identify them in ourselves. It is easier to observe personal growth in those around us.
The person you are now and the circumstances of your current life may be the product of your previous dreams and aspirations. Reflection allows you to see how far you have come.
Here are some possible observations: –
- Perhaps you are calmer and more grounded than before. You have developed strategies to stay more consistently observant and present in the moment.
- You may be living more abundantly with stronger relationships with others or creating exciting new projects. Some of your previous ambitions have been realized.
- You may have built particular expertise in an area of knowledge or practical skill.
- Through exploration, you may have developed new strategies for living your life.
- Perhaps you now think differently or respond differently to what is happening around you.
Each of these new parts of who you are may have required deep soul searching or finding solutions for life’s challenges. It may have involved a painful journey of examining your own thoughts, habits, and behaviour patterns. Shedding what is no longer valid or helpful. Creating new ways of responding to other people and life situations. Striving to live true to your authentic self.
“You can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.”
Abraham Maslow
Unless there is a moment of reflection, these changes may not be unearthed. Using a journal to assess your current strengths, abilities and inner qualities is a good start. What attitudes and understandings about life have changed for you over a period of time? What particular situations and challenges have you been placed in that have caused you to learn some valuable life lessons?
If you feel you have come to a stalemate in life, create a list of your achievements over the last decade. Perhaps you will find that you have forgotten some of your accomplishments whether they are large or small. Its time to celebrate your journey particularly if it has involved self-reflection and difficult decisions or circumstances that have meant changing your life course.
Your list becomes the motivation to continue evolving. What more do you want to learn, experience, and contribute as you look into the future? Knowing that you have taken steps in the past to become the person you are now can help support your vision of what is to come.