thrive
verb /θraɪv/: to grow, develop, or be successful
Arianna Huffington wants you to thrive. But what does this mean?
In our results-obsessed society, you can be forgiven for having an automatic and unconscious tendency to regard “thriving” as a personal goal; a desirable point of reference from which you will experience greater happiness, wellness and wealth. (“Ah”, you will say one day. “I have attained my goal; I am now thriving and all is well.”)
With this mindset — as with many concepts in our modern, mechanized lives — the condition of thriving will be obtained by following the right formula and ticking the right boxes. If you sleep enough, eat well, exercise, choose positive thoughts (and so on …) you will eventually find yourself in a place of joyous prosperity and ease.
Certainly, all of these lifestyle choices can help you thrive. But to focus on the attainment of these milestones is to ignore the most important, most fundamental, element of thriving: ongoing evolution and growth.
When you look up thrive in most dictionaries, the word flourish appears alongside it as simile. To thrive is not to find a point in your life where you are comfortable enough; where things are okay, or even great. Thriving is not a way-point on the map of personal development. It is the perpetual journey of growth — of expansion and adaptation — that allows you to venture further into a sense of authentic well-being.
And this journey — this ability to thrive — can arise at any time in your life; at any point along your personal journey and regardless of the circumstances that currently surround you.
You may be lost in the darkness of depression but if you are inherently happier than you were yesterday, you are beginning to thrive. You may have suffered a long history of isolation or abuse but if your relationships are stronger and more supportive than they have ever been, you are beginning to thrive. If your environment is increasingly more conducive to growth and success; if your unconscious reactions and conscious choices are becoming healthier and more fulfilling; if you are more careful and compassionate with how you view yourself, you are already expanding beyond the nature of your past experience. You are thriving.
Arianna Huffington wants you to thrive. And so do I.
But there is no judgement on how that will look in your world. There is no milestone that will mark your arrival into the realms of Those-Who-Thrive. There is simply an invitation — a gentle encouragement — for you to look at your life as it stands, right now, and ask yourself: Where am I not prospering? What areas of my life are no longer conducive for growth? What opinions do I hold about myself that are preventing me from stepping into greater wellness and joy? What changes can I make to the way I live my life that will afford me more freedom and contentment?
And then take action on any of these factors and plant a new seed of potential in your life.
You are an exquisite, unique and precious living being and you deserve to thrive. And that process can begin today wherever — and whoever — you are in your life right now. All that is required is for you to forget any idea of what you think “thrive” should look like and allow yourself to boldly, gently and continually grow into a healthier, happier and more expansive version of who you used to be.
Kim Forrester is an award-winning author, educator and intuitive consultant with over 15 years’ experience as a professional intuitive and spiritual teacher. She combines cutting edge science with traditional spirituality to offer the latest understandings of psi, consciousness and holistic well being. Find out more at www.kimforrester.net
Originally published at medium.com