Today I was asked about my engagement with being a 'lifestyle coach', and I wished I was asked more questions like these.. because it is in these questions that we uncover ourselves. There is nothing more raw and true when you are suddenly called to match what lives within you, to the outside-world's perception of who you are.
The truth is, I don't expose myself to too many people. I live a pretty minimal life; few high-quality friends, mentors and passions I quietly explore at my own pace. So when questions like these come, they're a really good wake up to how much I've grown, who I am, and who I now want to become.
I prefer it this way than to have constant noise in the background, because in a way, I wouldn't be able to see or hear my own growth happening. Perhaps you can relate:
What's interesting is reflecting on the opposite life many people live (and that I used to)- A constant world of judgement, battling to the top, proving who you are, what you're worth, and dressing to impress. It might not always be the form of words, but it's a lot of noise to live in..
This is the kind of noise that makes us believe we need to improve ourselves all the time - an unnoticed sentence to the world of Personal Development.
But here's the subtle shift I have found to live a more peaceful life... its the shift to personal growth. It means no matter what you do, you do it as who you are. You shift, evolve, adapt and dance to the sound of your own intuition and guidance. There isn't a standard you need to meet or work toward having before you are recognised.
As author William Whitecloud puts it: Every time you try to improve yourself, you're unconsciously reinforcing your ego's central message: "You're not enough as you are".
Here's how personal growth happens:
We expose ourselves to opportunities to learn about ourselves, and have our needs, wants, desires, and fears reflected back to us. We notice something about ourselves and use this to guide our next move emotionally, spiritually and mentally.
❀ Personal growth is an inside-out journey, resulting in effortless success and wealth on your own terms.
❀ Personal development, while incredibly valuable, can limit us to expectations of who we need to be.
Life shifted for me when I moved away from developing myself, and toward watching myself grow. And there's an entire set of tools to help us stay in this place :)...
Each time we allow ourselves to be exposed, and enable questions to be nothing more than a mirror for us.. we get a little better at moving from intuition and closer to true wealth & happiness.
Keep uncovering the gem that's inside of you and you won't go wrong.
Love, Jules
