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Happy Easter everyone!
The sun is gaining in strength, taking the edge off the winter chill. I can see signs of growth, of new life as the snow and ice melt away. At its heart, the Easter story is a story of transformation. It is a story of hope, of rebirth, and of renewal, that can resonate with all of us regardless of religious background and beliefs.
It is a story about coming out of the cold and dark, and of moving towards the light. Of renewal. I suspect that is why we celebrate it in the spring. We strive to shed our old skins and emerge into the light of possibility.
Perhaps you’re a mid-career professional who has been feeling stuck or unfulfilled in your work. Maybe you’ve been wanting to make a change for some time, but haven’t known where to begin. This holiday weekend, take a cue from the Easter story and be willing to consider the transformation – both the sacrifices required and the rewards to be gained – to become the best version of yourself.
One lesson we can take from the Easter story is that a major transformation requires a meaningful sacrifice – maybe even a death. Like the story of Jesus’s death and resurrection, we need to accept the death of one part of our life to allow us to begin another part.
As you reflect on your goals and aspirations, consider the sacrifices you may need to make in order to achieve them. Just as the caterpillar must give up its old form to become a butterfly, we must let go of our old identity, habits, and beliefs in order to grow into who we might become.
You can’t expect change to arrive while doing the same things you have always done. That is literally the opposite of how it works. Yet we continually fall into this trap.
As the world springs to life, take this opportunity to embrace personal growth and transformation. This might mean setting new goals for yourself, starting a new project, or taking steps towards a new career or personal development path. It might mean letting go of old habits or beliefs that are holding you back, and embracing new ways of thinking and living that are more aligned with your values and aspirations.
Remember, this process of rebirth and renewal is challenging. Before you can be reborn, you need to go through a death. You will need to confront your fears. But just as the daffodils and tulips struggle up through the dark, moist soil to bloom into beautiful flowers, you can emerge from the dark to become the best version of yourself.
Use the opportunity of the holiday weekend to take stock of your life, your goals, and your aspirations, and to make a commitment to growth and transformation. Strive to move forward; not for more, but for better. For becoming who you might become if you weren’t so scared of letting the old you die.
Whatever form your personal rebirth and transformation takes, allow the message of Easter to remind you change is possible. By embracing the spirit of renewal and growth that is at the heart of Easter, you can use this weekend as a launch point for your own personal journey of transformation.
Had some career success, but feel that work is devouring your soul? Feeling like your job is keeping you handcuffed and you need to “put in your time”, like it is some sort of prison sentence? Counting down the years until retirement?
I’ve been there. It sucks.
You need to introduce changes NOW if you feel that way; staying in that space for long has scary outcomes that you would rather avoid.
I won’t tell you to quit job and “follow your passion”. Promise.
What I will do is work with you to help you craft a job that is perfect – for you. You can (and should!) design your work so that it is a perfect fit for the lifestyle you crave.
Let’s chat about how I can help.
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Quotation that I have been pondering
The biggest obstacle we face in becoming the best version of ourselves is fear. It is fear of letting go of who we are, fear of failing, fear of not being enough, fear of embarrassing ourselves. And even fear of succeeding. Because – then what?
It is fear that holds us back, that prevents us from doing much more than dipping our toes into change. As I think about our proclivity for fear, this African proverb comes to mind.
We need to move despite our fear.
Journal Prompt
In keeping with the theme of fear and how it opposes the Easter story of hope and renewal, I encourage you to sit with this journal prompt:
As you reflect on that question, you may also want to write out your thoughts on why you are allowing your fear to prevent you from doing what you want to do.
Our response to fear is almost always the biggest obstacle to our own success.
