Letting Go…to Grow

I am a Baltimore boy, born and raised. Baltimore is known for the Chesapeake Bay and blue crabs.  Ripping open a blue crab steamed in Old Bay is something everyone should do…at least once.

The only way crabs can grow is to discard their shell and grow a bigger one.  Imagine how difficult it must be to give up your protection and security and to be completely vulnerable in the service of growing bigger.

What a great metaphor that is for us.  I have not met a person who doesn’t highly value stability and security.  We all want to feel safe.  But what will we do if we must leave safety in order to become a greater human being?

You have actually done this quite a few times.  There was a time when you couldn’t walk, and you crawled wherever you wanted to go.  Crawling got you around quite well without any risk of falling.  Then, one day, you decided crawling wasn’t good enough and you decided to walk.  You gave up the security of crawling and risked standing and taking a step.  It wasn’t easy or without pain, but you stuck with it…and look at you now! Your world became much bigger because you took the risk.

How many other times have you given up security for growth?  I invite you to make a list of at least 5 times when you have done so.

Now, I want you to consider two questions:

• When was the last time you give up security to grow?
• What should you be giving up now to grow into someone bigger?

That second question is very important.  It is so easy to get lazy and to settle for the life you currently have.  But what if there is more greatness in you?  Shouldn’t you be reaching for it?