Becoming Still Enough To Grow

Good morning, Cadre world. This is Dr. Jessica Green and I am joining you on this wonderful Wednesday. But my morning has already started off running. I had a meeting at 8 o' clock this morning and I just left another meeting and I have another meeting at 12. So today is one of those days. Talk about mental well being. So today, you know, again, we're going to talk about the intersection of personal growth and peace. Because you can't grow if your mind never rests. And you can't rest if you are constantly chasing growth.

So when I say that we live in a culture that glorifies the hustle, we're checking boxes, we're climbing ladders, we're comparing ourselves to other people. But when we think about personal growth, it's about doing more. All right? It's about becoming more aware of who you are, that intrinsic motivation, but then also trying to be your authentic self. When we think about peace, Peace begins when you stop trying to earn your worth and you start learning to listen to the life that you live and know your personal worth, but also knowing your value.

So I want you to ask yourself a couple of things, okay? I want you to ask yourself, where am I rushing, where I could actually get some rest? What am I avoiding by staying busy? Because a lot of us, and I'm at fault, we go, go, go, we do, do, do, but then we lose ourselves and forget about that, that personal and self care. And then sometimes the stillness that you resist is the very space you need to begin that healing process. So growth often hides inside discomfort, disappointment, waiting seasons, or even those moments that stretch your patience.

So instead of labeling them as setbacks, I want you to try viewing them as soil. All right? So that soil is a place where amazing, unseen things are taking root. And you allow them to take root. Because if we think about it, peace doesn't come from controlling outcomes. It comes from releasing what's not yours to carry. So today I want you to focus on giving yourself permission to slow down, giving yourself permission to reflect and be curious rather than critical. Because with curiosity, that curiosity open doors.

But if we think about it, that criticism, it closes those doors. So I want you to take a brief moment and we're going to practice a little mindfulness. Yes, I said practice and mindfulness. But if you are in your car, don't do it, okay? I need you to keep driving to make sure you get to your location safely. But if you're in your office and you have that moment to practice, want you to practice with me. All right? So I want you to take that deep breath in your nose. And then I want you to hold it for four counts.

Hold for two. And then I want you to exhale slowly through your mouth. And as you're doing that, I want you to repeat to yourself quietly, I am safe in this moment. I don't need to rush my growth and peace is my power. So those simple statements allow you to reset your nervous system in order to find that calmness within when our world feels chaotic. So as you move through this week, I want you to remember these three takeaways. The first is stillness fuels growth and it's not the other way around.

Take those moments to slow down and live in those moments. The second is curiosity builds peace. So I want you to ask more of the questions like what and why? In order to focus yourself and making sure, hey, am I doing this in the best interest of me or in the best interest of others? Where I'm pouring into others cups opposed to pouring into my cup. And the last is release control. I want you to trust that rest and reflection are also productive. So I thank you for tuning in this morning. And if this message resonates with you, I want you to share it with someone who could use a moment of peace today.

And remember, growth does not always mean moving faster. Sometimes it just means breathing deeper. Have a wonderful Wednesday and I will see you next week.