The joy of growth

Part of my thoughts drift toward who I am today—and the painful process it took to get here.

Then another thought follows:

If getting here required so much struggle, hurt, and growth, how hard will it be to get to the next place?

Sometimes it can feel like a never-ending cycle.

But here’s the deal.

The pain isn’t supposed to be the focus.

Not the hurt. Not the anguish. Not the ripping away of the false identities, fears, and beliefs that have attached themselves to us like Velcro and must be torn away so the real person can emerge.

The focus is the result.

Joy.

Joy isn’t always fun. It isn’t always happiness. It isn’t always a good feeling in the moment.

Joy is the deep confidence that what you’re becoming is worth what you’re going through.

It’s the reward waiting on the other side of growth.

That is what makes the effort worthwhile.

That is what makes the struggle worth enduring.

And that is what allows me to look ahead—not with dread, but with anticipation.

Not with fear, but with joy.