Everything in life is in motion, from molecular cells to the heavenly bodies in our solar system. Our bodies are in a constant state of growth, change and aging. Our children grow at remarkable rates and every year we seem to say, “Time flies faster and faster.”

Our lives, too, are in a constant state of growth. Does it not stand to reason then, that we are also in a constant state of personal growth and adjustment? Personal growth is more than therapy. It is more than working through a specific place of trauma. It is more than a course you take or a book you read. It is the constant appraisal of your patterns of thinking, feeling and doing. Patterns are not necessarily bad. It is simply that they become destructive, and even painful, when they no longer fit our lives and the ever-changing qualities, or energies, of our being.

We are more than just our programmed patterns. We are qualities of the heart, such as loyalty, love, play, compassion, commitment, humor, creativity and patience, to name a few. It is these energies that we express in our lives through our work and relationships. It is these energies that we empower and grow in order to become bigger and better persons. We may have one quality in large measure and another, small, but they all need to be expressed in order to be empowered and expanded.

People need to become aware that there is something inside them beyond their patterns and the way they were programmed to act, think and feel. If your patterns are incongruent with who you are inside, it forms an un-realness in your life that causes “dis-ease.” It is only in the realness of your Self that growth takes place. The un-realness may be so normal to you that you may not notice it is there. Just ask yourself, “Is there anything else I would like to have, do, or experience in life?” Your heart always wants to grow and express more.

Life is more than a series of trouble spots. As life is constant movement, we are in a constant state of expansion, change and evolution. Personal growth is not something that can be attained by taking a single class or workshop. It is a minute by minute awareness of our process of change. Personal growth and awareness means that we are lifetime learners. It is, however, very difficult to see beyond one’s personal range of vision. Thus people often find that support groups and/or spiritual teachers can help them to see beyond what has become familiar, to what the heart needs at any given moment.

Our patterns might have to do with such issues as intimacy, relationships, power, or fears, for example. If we bring our awareness of these issues into our daily lives, we can begin to see our unhealthy patterns and begin the process of finding out who we really are in those issues. It is in this place that we find healing and change. Spiritual growth, or heart expansion, is what life is all about. In the process of becoming all you can be, you will also get to manifest more in your life. Give the heart a healthy pattern, i.e., one that fits it, and there is no stopping its expression.

Each person must heal themselves by learning to identify and adjust patterns so they will be able to express their true selves. You may have support, but no one else can do that for you. The beauty of this responsibility is that as your consciousness attains more clarity, healing and realness, it affects the consciousness of the planet. It makes worldwide healing more attainable. It is in this bigger picture that all of our heart expressions come together.

We need to get past the point where we are going through life, working alone. There are many places that offer support. Healing centers offer ongoing growth and awareness classes on-site and over the Internet. Healers of many kinds offer programs that address acquiring a long-term relationship with health. Mentors are available with whom you can develop a lasting and supportive relationship. In these places of support, synergy is powerful as we all grow together. This healing goes out in waves through each person’s unique connection to the world.

Growth gives you direction and support in your ongoing process of change. It adds focus and meaning to what is happening in your world, power in your work, and more heart in your relationships.

So many people think, “My life is fine. Why change it?” Or they think life is about attaining single goals such as a good job, relationship or children. Really, we are growing all the time, because THAT is what life is about. People need to live their lives from a true expression of themselves, rather than from just being impacted by the outside world. Our lives and our goals have meaning when they come from the realness in our hearts.

- 30 -

© Jackie Woods
All Rights Reserved

Jackie Woods is a healer, spiritual teacher, and founder of Adawehi Healing Center in Columbus, NC. Jackie’s ability to recognize and correct unhealthy patterns of living has enabled her to help thousands of people to improve their lives. For more information about Jackie's work, and to subscribe to her free newsletter, The Heart's Journey, please visit www.jackiewoods.org.