Whole-Person Wellness Blog: Embracing growth and change
Before getting into this month’s Whole-Person Wellness Blog, I want you to participate in this exercise with me:
Take a moment to think of something you are ready to let go of, something that no longer serves you – maybe self-doubt, an old habit, or a relationship.
Close your eyes and take a slow, steady breath. Picture yourself standing in a quiet room. In your hands is a broom. You begin to sweep – gathering the dirt, the clutter, all the stagnant weight that’s been lingering. Draw it together into one place. Let it collect. Then gently move it away from you, clearing space, making room for something lighter.
Now walk towards the front door, open it, and look out at a bright spring day. The sun shines on your skin, and the crisp air fills your lungs, revitalizing you. Focus on the new beginning, a fresh start.
When you’re ready, begin to clear the clutter – from your mind, your body, your emotional space. Bring to mind whatever you’re ready to release. Take a deep breath in, and as your exhale, let go of the weight it’s been carrying.
Notice what’s present now. You might feel a sense of ease or lightness. Or something else may surface – resistance, discomfort, hesitation. Simply tune in and observe, without judgment. You’ve been holding on for a long time, and letting go isn’t always easy.
As you take your next few breaths, imagine vitality flowing into every cell, every space – opening and making room for something new. Remember, you can return to this place anytime you need.
This month, we will hone in on one of Sanctuary’s seven commitments: Growth and Change. To learn more, click here. Embracing growth and change is not always easy. It challenges us to step outside our comfort zone. It asks us to look within, and perhaps let go of ways that we once used to survive.
April is an opportune month to dive deep into this commitment. April derives from the Latin word aperire, meaning “to open.” As we look around, buds begin to bloom, unfold, and renew themselves. What are the ways we can learn from these flowers and this symbolism?
For me, it meant getting sober 14 years ago in mid-April. It was a period of letting go of the past’s heaviness, looking forward to the future, and spiritual renewal. With that come challenges each day. Just when I think I am clear of a past struggle, it likes to rear its ugly head as a reminder to stay present, stay focused, and continue seeking growth and change. It is a never-ending process where some days I fail, and other days I find that deep well of resilience.
Take some time this month to think of all the ways you have shifted, changed, grown, or evolved out of something. Brainstorm ways in which you can start anew.
Meditation and yoga teacher Barry H. Gillespie said, “The path isn’t a straight line; it’s a spiral. You continually come back to things you thought you understood and see deeper truths.”
Remember: Life brings tests to see if you’ve integrated the wisdom. Old patterns reappear in new forms – not to punish you, but to refine you. Each time you respond with more awareness, your soul evolves. And with each level passed, new lessons, deeper love, and greater blessings unfold.
Thank you,
Allison LaRussa, BA, CPS, RYT
Associate Vice President, Health and Wellness
