What would happen if we believed we are enough right now and that maybe death isn’t so scary after all?

The quote, “if you’re not growing, you’re dying,” once inspired me to challenge myself, but I’ve realized that it no longer serves me. This poem explains why.

If you’re not growing, you’re dying.
So never stop trying.
The world is yours.
Let’s start flying!

The insatiable pursuit
of “possibilities” abounds.
Experts and TikTok influencers
make their rounds.

I’ll achieve my wildest dreams
if I listen to what they know.
There’s no limit to
the extravagant places I can go.

So I question my simple life.
There’s so much more I could pursue!
Am I settling? Missing out?
What exciting things do I want to do?

I begin mining for dreams,
hustling, and doing,
stoked by the rewards
of self-improving.

Until one day
when I’m awakened at my core.
I see I’m missing out on the present
in my constant pursuit of more.

I see that I only feel
more valuable because I’ve grown.
My sense of worthiness is coming
from improvement I have shown.

This is not freedom
from the illusory grip of shame.
This is the same ego, with new messages,
running the game.

If you’re not growing, you’re dying.
So never stop trying!
Can this belief be leading us
into a vortex of self-denying?

This push for growth
that once seemed so good
only led me into
a constant state of “should.”

I realize all I really want
is meaningful connection
that comes with the freedom
of authentic self-expression.

So I’ve decided to stop believing
it’s only other people who know,
and I’ve started to hear my own voice
guiding me to where I want go.

The messages don’t come
with dings or fancy fonts.
They are gentle whispers and heart flutters
that emerge when I’m snugly ensconced.

Sometimes they guide me to a person,
a class, or a book.
More often they guide me to go inward
and take a loving look.

I’ve learned that inside of me
is where pure love and joy reside
that I could never access in the outer world
no matter how hard I tried.

Now instead of working on growing
so that I’m not dying,
my focus is on connecting to my heart, receiving,
and letting go of trying.

Much to my surprise, I’ve discovered
I am most free
when I love both growing and dying…
equally.