What experiences in life helped you grow the most?

So I’ll just say, I feel like I’ve answered this recently; or some variation of it.

That’s ok, life is about growth right? Either growth that makes you change, growth that makes you learn, growth that enriches you.

Life is about experiences, and it’s best not to remain stagnant, never learning anything.

Growth can be painful or difficult, but it also can be happy and enlightening.

So let’s see, shall we?

Let’s start with the positive.

The first time I went to Europe.

I traveled to Ireland and it was such a beautiful place, I had already made plans to retire there, haha. Being in a new country and just immersing myself in the history was such an enriching experience. Driving on the left side of the road was also fun, and oddly enough, not too difficult once I got used to it.

The first time I ever climbed a mountain.

It was supposed to be just a simple hike but I was with a group who just wanted to keep going, keep going. I was wholly unprepared, and it was a very windy, treacherous day. I was in pain, I was dehydrated, it was scary as hell, but I made it. It was literally super wild. It taught me to be better prepared and it really made me love hiking strenuous and challenging trails.

Becoming a nurse.

Self-explanatory. Obviously I’ve talked about this enough, I think.

The first time I ever took a night dive.

Scuba diving at night is on an entirely different level than doing it during the day. It is magic. But it can also be dangerous and you need to be prepared.

Embracing my spiritual gifts.

Still a work in progress, however, very much indeed powerful and elevating.

Now, unfortunately- some negative growth experiences.

When my grandmother died.

It’s not a matter of what I did or didn’t do. There isn’t regret there. I spent so much time with her throughout the years, I just wish she didn’t have to go. She was my guiding light for a long time. It was hard to lose her, because I don’t have another parent in my life that I can share things with the way I did with her.

When my Lucy died.

This one really broke my heart. I wasn’t expecting it and I felt very guilty for a long time. I don’t think there was anything I could’ve done, and it was just her time. I’m not sure I will have another connection to an animal like I did her.

When I decided to leave a toxic job.

This always ends up being better in the long run, but it’s hard because you suffer a lot before you finally decide to pull the trigger. I also think this experience unfortunately actually manifested some negative health conditions in me. It does teach you what to look out for, and what you won’t tolerate at your next job.

When I was deathly ill with pancolitis.

I think this may have triggered some parts of my spiritual awakening in a sense, so it ends up being a positive. However, it was not fun and it is something I’m terrified of happening again. I was not normal for several months, and I wish to never have to go through that again.

There are more, many more experiences I could write about, right now that are a work in progress that contribute to my growth.

But that’s enough for now. Let’s see where our experiences lead us and what they can teach us.

Happy Saturday, all.