Introducing Life to Growth and Awareness



“What can I thank life for today?”

Today, I’m grateful for my thoughts. Not because they’re always positive—far from it. Sometimes they are exaggerated, dramatic, or downr

Introducing Life to Growth and Awareness

This morning, as I sat quietly drinking my coffee with my dogs and cat curled around me, I asked myself a simple question: ight catastrophic. I’m still not sure if that’s a “mom thing” or just how my brain operates. Either way, I’ve been trying to practice that infamous pause everyone talks about.

Here’s the truth: the pause does absolutely nothing for me.

When I’m supposed to pause, my body decides it’s time to sprint. My adrenaline spikes, my heart races, and the filter between my brain and my mouth just… disappears. I’m not proud of that. In fact, it bothers me deeply.

When I stop and think about it, I know exactly where it comes from. I spent more than 20 years living in fight-or-flight mode. I became an expert at stuffing down what I really wanted to say just to keep the peace. Now, in this new season of my life, everything comes out—and sometimes it comes out fast.

I’m proud of myself for finally acknowledging my feelings, but I also know I don’t always present them gracefully. It frustrates me, and I know it can frustrate the people around me.

So how do I fix this at 58?
I remind myself: growth doesn’t expire.

I’ve learned that a simple pause isn’t enough for me. When I’m triggered, I need to physically step away. I go into another room and ask myself, “What nerve from the past did this hit?” Because it’s rarely about the moment in front of me. It’s usually old emotions finally finding their way out after years of being pushed down.

I’ve also discovered a few ways to calm my racing mind—coloring, reading, watching a movie, cooking. Anything that distracts me until my thoughts settle into something more manageable.

Like most people, I want to be heard and validated. After years of being denied that, the desire to finally be seen becomes a powerful instinct. Sometimes too powerful. But I am learning.

So I tell myself:

  • God is with me.

  • I can speak calmly once I understand what old hurt is being stirred up.

  • I can love who I am in that messy moment, knowing I am still growing.

Awareness and healing don’t show up all at once—they arrive in tiny moments we choose to pay attention to.

Life, I’d like to introduce you to growth and awareness.
They’re staying for good.

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