Repotting

I repot my plants when they seem ready- their roots crammed against the walls- health declining- or stagnating-

The replanting must be done gingerly, delicately- and then, to grow again into their new space, the plants must be tended to-- with water and sun, of course, but mostly they just needs some time to settle. Too many consecutive replants will weaken her, decay her- stillness is required to grow into her new space.

In the “growth only happens when put outside your comfort zone” narrative of sport and work, we forget that the true growing occurs once you feel comfortable in this new space. Its after the shock and disorientation of the fresh wears off that your roots can dig down into the soil- it is only when you feel safe that you stretch out- releasing your defensive clam-y posture. And this safety precedes grounding, which precedes self-compassion, which precedes genuine transformation. 

Courage is necessary for growth – I will not argue otherwise. But it takes courage to dig into your current circumstances. To name what is hard and accept it. To honestly cope. And in this type of courage, growth is natural, not a ripping at the seams.

In choosing to stay, we are choosing a presence that grows from within- a presence that does not require perfection. Digging in means saying no to chasing satisfaction in circumstance—in new places, jobs, relationships, or travel plans. We are forced to find stability within ourselves. And it’s from stability that we can care carefully. We can know ourselves and work with tools that we understand. We can build something to last.