Growing Out of the Muck – Mind, Body, and Spirit
To move from just surviving to thriving in life, we must be open to stretching ourselves, growing in new ways.
- In September, we explored how examining limiting beliefs is an important step in our healing and growth.
- But what if we are starting in a big pile of muck and feel incredibly stuck?
- I get it, and this month’s blog explores being in this mucky place of “stuckness.”
And, imagine if this wet mud, the muck, and the mire actually nurture growth.
Exploring Being Stuck in the Muck
I know what it means to have A LOT of muck in your life. There have been seasons when I felt like layers of wet, thick mud were clinging to me, weighing me down, and preventing any movement. It takes a great deal of energy to get unstuck.
And yet, imagine if this wet mud, the muck, and the mire actually nurtures our growth.
Wisdom from Flowers
This is true for lotus flowers or water lilies that grow and thrive in the muck.
- Water lilies are celebrated as symbols of transformation, strength, and inner beauty. (Yes! Let’s claim our inner lotus flowers!)
- Their seeds take root and gather strength in even the most seemingly unpleasant environment of mud and murky water.
- This amazing plant slowly reaches for the sunlight available to it and, when it is time, finally opens to bloom.
Our “mud” and “muck” come from those experiences over the years that have clung heavily to us, slowing us down and keeping us stuck. But imagine if you begin to see them differently and move toward growth and healing?
What Does Healing Entail?
Did you know that the word “heal” comes from the word “whole,” which is why it is important to consider your whole self?
- The muck we experience not only affects our minds but also our bodies and spirits.
- To move through healthy change, we must embrace all of who we are and take slow but steady healing steps, just like the lotus slowly making its way through murky waters to reach the surface.
- We must know that the light is available to us and reach toward it, knowing that ultimately, we will bloom!
Encouraging Quote:
“Often, we perceive our mud as shameful and forget that everyone has mud. Gathering mud is part of everyone’s life journey. Trying to avoid mud is futile because we wind up with mud anyway. Mud build-up cannot be avoided, nor does it need to be, because it is a rich resource waiting for our seed.” Christina Dunfee Houfek
My Personal Muck
At the beginning of this blog, I shared that I had a lot of muck in my life. It started with childhood sexual abuse and was perpetuated through negligence when no one came to my aid. It was compounded by my marrying abusers because I did not do my healing work. My muck made me think I didn’t deserve to be treated well.
Yet, I turned my pain into purpose. Part of my purpose is to share my journey and the lessons I’ve learned in my book, Awakening the Light: A Survivor’s to Thrivers’ Going Forward Story. I share the quote below to encourage you to seek out and nurture the seeds of your authentic self.
“I wondered to myself, ‘How many others have been covered over with layers of pain, sorrow, disappointment, and regret? How many others wish to find the seeds of their authentic selves?”
In our October 15th blog, we will explore practices to bloom from that mud and muck we may be entrenched in.
At Survivors to Thrivers, we are committed to encouraging and supporting you as you seek to embrace your healing and growth. We would love to hear the steps you have taken to heal yourself – mind, body, and spirit. Please know we are here to cheer you on– every step of the way!
Talk To Tambry
I am glad you have taken the time to engage with this blog. Sometimes it is helpful to process new insights that emerge. If you would appreciate brief time with a someone who understands, our Talk to Tambry offering is for you. For 30 minutes, you can receive support from Tambry who is a certified life coach, spiritual director and a survivor who has been on the journey as well. This is offered at a reduced rate of $50.
