I joked to José that the month could be summed up like ‘Four Weddings and A Funeral’, as ‘Five path lab visits, two hospital visits and two funerals’! As if things weren’t bad enough, I had the flu during the last week. I have to admit that I sometimes felt despair, was frustrated by my unachieved objectives, and was annoyed by the situation. However, September had a surprise for me. It reminded me we often overlook growth, as it’s usually in small, quiet steps. Looking back, I realize I’ve moved further than I thought, even in moments that felt like setbacks. So today, I’m sharing with you what I learned about growth in September.
What I Learned About Growth
Valleys Are Part of the Journey
Holley Gerth shares a story about her mentor drawing mountains and valleys on a whiteboard. He said, “When we go into a valley, it feels like we are all the way down here. But we are so much higher up and further on than when we started the journey.” That has been my experience this month. Despite feeling down, I was still advancing, developing, and evolving. All the struggles in silence have been a step forward.
Small Steps Lead to Lasting Change
Kate Bowler reminds us, “But real change, the kind that lasts, is rarely dramatic. It’s small. Repetitive. Often imperceptible. And sometimes? It’s deeply holy. This fall, I’m trying again. One thing. One reasonable thing.”
This September, my “one reasonable thing” was simply showing up—for my writing, my reflections, and the rituals I had committed to. Each day, those little steps grew, even when I didn’t notice.
Looking Ahead To October
I want to take these lessons into October. I don’t have to seek big changes, or worry about bad times. Instead, I choose bravery, being mindful in everyday life, and believing in the power of slow but steady progress. October encourages me to be braver and embrace myself, understanding every small step matters.
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I too observed what you mentioned about change and growth Corinne… that they happen in an imperceptible way. There is no drama – growth is silent, gradual and hardly noticeable – and it is happening every moment – mentally and spiritually. I want to compare this unnoticeable growth to that of a sapling and a new-born baby. We see them every morning and feel they are exactly the same as the previous day but they have grown and one day they become a huge tree and an adult respectively. I love the way you spoke about ‘little steps’ and ‘every small step’, Corinne.
So true about the sapling, Madhavi. I don’t know why we are sometimes so hard on ourselves. In September, I did try to focus on the little steps.
Hi Corinne – my husband has a coffee mug that says “don’t let the turkeys get you down” and I think that often applies to all the small irritants life throws our way. I’m glad to see that you haven’t been beaten by your turkeys and you can see growth and positivity through it all. Onward and upward for October!
Ah! I haven’t heard that phrase before. I love it. Thanks for sharing, Leanne.
You’re right, Corinne. Small steps often matter far more than the big changes. It’s those tiny steps that truly bring about significant progress, even though they’re so often overlooked. I loved the story about mountains and valleys. Thank you for always sharing such valuable lessons.
I wish I could remember this when I’m beating myself down for not keeping a commitment to myself. I think I need to create a poster to remind me of this.
I’m sorry your September was so tumultuous. I love the analogy you shared about still being further along on the journey though. I see that in some of my struggles too. I still have some of the same ones as deeply as ever, but those specific ones come less often and go away a little quicker. So I call that progress. 🙂 Your choice of bravery is indeed the bravest first step! I always enjoy hearing about your journey, Corinne. Thanks for linking this at our One Word linkup.