How we grow

I’m starting to share some of my thoughts on Instagram, but if you prefer to read, here’s more or less what I said…

Good morning. It’s grey here today. Still doesn’t feel like autumn’s coming, but it’s definitely a shift.

I’m contemplating roles today — new roles, different roles that we take on, and how we can sometimes be really hard on ourselves and expect ourselves to know how to do the role, or to be ready to do it. And by “ready,” what I mean is to feel like we’re ready to do it perfectly. But being ready to take on a role and being able to do it well, or perfectly, are not the same thing.

Whether it’s taking on the role of a parent, or a new job, a new hobby, or new responsibilities at work, we often feel like we have to do everything perfectly. And I just want to invite a little bit of grace — that the first time you do something is the first time you do something. You’re not going to know how to do it. And that’s kind of beautiful in its own way, because what even is perfect, you know?

Maybe it’s just that we do stuff, and life goes on, and then we go, “Oh, cool — that turned out that way. I’m going to do it differently next time and see how that works.” And that can be really expansive in its own way.

And if you’re around someone who is trying on a new role for the first time — maybe even the second or third time — encourage them. Please don’t expect them to be perfect. Please have grace with them when they do things that have consequences that are less than ideal, because we’re all here to support each other, and grow, and expand, and be the best versions of ourselves. And that involves experiencing life, living life, and taking chances.