The Pain of Growth

A tiny seed nestles in the dirt, cozy and warm. Fed by the clean, cool water that filters through its blanket of darkness. Suddenly, he feels the urge deep within himself that there is something more out there for him. He isn’t sure what or where the urge is even coming from, but he quivers with excitement. He stretches and pulls. He nearly quits because the pain is unbearable, but the urge keeps coming and it overpowers his fear. He knows there is something bigger inside of him. He is not meant to be a seed forever. That wasn’t what the universe intended, but the pain. Oh, the pain. It crushes him, but he pushes on. He moves forward. He struggles to breathe, the pressure is building, and when he nearly suffocates himself – suddenly there is a beautiful release. He exhales and looks up at the sun with much eagerness. The world is ready, and so is he.


Today I start on a new journey. After 10 years of being in the same job, cozy and warm, I’m off to a new adventure. A part of me quivers with excitement, but it also feels suffocating. The pain is nearly unbearable, but I push forward hoping that I get that moment of beautiful release.

Like the seed, I can’t imagine the pain the caterpillar feels as she becomes a butterfly, or a bee as he sheds his exoskeleton, or the snake as he releases his skin. They are so much smaller than me and live much more delicate lives. If they can do it, so can I.

In 3 minutes, I will start a new adventure. The pressure has built and I’m ready for the sunshine.

So many lessons learned from nature. This is, yet, another.

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