4 Ways to Unlock Nature’s Secret for Limitless Growth

 4 Ways to Unlock Nature’s Secret for Limitless Growth

The large, maple¹ tree that shades our house disperses² whirly, helicopter seeds. From these seeds, trees grow almost anywhere, amongst flowers and between grape vines. Trees even weave in and out of metal fencing.

Have you ever noticed how trees grow in spite of limits? A tree makes space for its roots and leaves, changing directions as needed. We, too, can create space and adjust for personal growth.

For me, changing myself is a far greater challenge than academic learning. Iíve got the knowledge, yet applying it to my life is something different. Turning knowledge into action can get even tougher when I impose limits on myself.

What limits do you impose on yourself?

When we limit ourselves, we stunt³ our growth potential. Do any of these limiting assumptions sounds familiar?

I’ll never be good enough, smart enough, or strong enough.

I can’t change. I’ve always been this way.

It’ll take too long. It ‘s too late to change.

What can we learn about change from a shade sharing, powerful tree? To grow through our limits. It’s time to break through, like a tree reaching for raindrops and sunlight.

What do you want to change or grow?

It can be anything, from a behavior, recurring⁴ pattern, nasty habit, to a new skill. A few things I’m working on:

Not taking others’ reactions personally

Letting others learn from their mistakes

Defining myself when pressured to agree with others

I fantasize about fleeing from my goals when I get frustrated⁵ with slow change. Yet, Ipersist, loving the challenge of learning and breaking through limits.

4 Steps to Grow Through Your Limits:

Nurture⁶ Your Foundation : A tree creates roots to receive nutrients⁷.

Look after yourself, and receive needed nutrients. Care for your physical body. Connect with loved ones. Give yourself a strong foundation of roots to grow.

Build on Learning : A tree knows where to grow to get the best nutrients.

View each step as learning, even if you step backwards⁸, sideways, or freeze. Learning what works and what doesnít work.? Small steps build into big change over time.

Befriend Repetition : A tree has many branches and leaves to receive nutrients.

Breaking through limits takes time. You may start acting⁹ or thinking in a new way before your feelings catch up. The more you practice your new skill, the easier it will get. Repetition creates a new pathway in your brain.

Tap Into Strength : A tree is a powerful living system with innate¹⁰ growth potential.

We can do hard things. Our strength is larger than we imagine. Chose long-term growth over short-term discomfort¹¹. Move toward growth and break through self-imposed limits.

1 maple   

n.槭树，枫树，槭木

参考例句：

• Maple sugar is made from the sap of maple trees.枫糖是由枫树的树液制成的。
• The maple leaves are tinge with autumn red.枫叶染上了秋天的红色。

2 disperses   

v.（使）分散( disperse的第三人称单数 )；疏散；驱散；散布

参考例句：

• With controlled pace and sequence of construction, excess heat disperses. 在对施工进度和程序加以控制之后，多余的热量就能散掉。 来自辞典例句
• Normally, turbulence disperses such pollutants quickly. 正常情况下，湍流将迅速驱散这类污染物。 来自辞典例句

3 stunt   

n.惊人表演，绝技，特技；vt.阻碍...发育，妨碍...生长

参考例句：

• Lack of the right food may stunt growth.缺乏适当的食物会阻碍发育。
• Right up there is where the big stunt is taking place.那边将会有惊人的表演。

4 recurring   

adj.往复的，再次发生的

参考例句：

• This kind of problem is recurring often. 这类问题经常发生。
• For our own country, it has been a time for recurring trial. 就我们国家而言，它经过了一个反复考验的时期。

5 frustrated   

adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's very easy to get frustrated in this job. 这个工作很容易令人懊恼。
• The bad weather frustrated all our hopes of going out. 恶劣的天气破坏了我们出行的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 nurture   

n.养育，照顾，教育；滋养，营养品；vt.养育，给与营养物，教养，扶持

参考例句：

• The tree grows well in his nurture.在他的培育下这棵树长得很好。
• The two sisters had received very different nurture.这俩个姊妹接受过极不同的教育。

7 nutrients   

n.（食品或化学品）营养物，营养品( nutrient的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a lack of essential nutrients 基本营养的缺乏
• Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. 营养素被吸收进血液。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 backwards   

adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地

参考例句：

• He turned on the light and began to pace backwards and forwards.他打开电灯并开始走来走去。
• All the girls fell over backwards to get the party ready.姑娘们迫不及待地为聚会做准备。

9 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

10 innate   

adj.天生的，固有的，天赋的

参考例句：

• You obviously have an innate talent for music.你显然有天生的音乐才能。
• Correct ideas are not innate in the mind.人的正确思想不是自己头脑中固有的。

11 discomfort   

n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便

参考例句：

• One has to bear a little discomfort while travelling.旅行中总要忍受一点不便。
• She turned red with discomfort when the teacher spoke.老师讲话时她不好意思地红着脸。