The Miracle of Becoming: What Nature Teaches Us About Growth and Living a Full Life
Today, I found myself in awe of the miracle of life.
I’ve been watching baby chicks hatch in a small incubator I bought as a fun experiment for our little homestead—something I thought my grandchildren would enjoy.
What I didn’t expect… was how much it would move me.
We only have a few laying hens, and I wanted to grow our flock—enough eggs for everyday use and a little extra to carry us through the winter months when production slows down.
So I did what many of us do when we’re trying something new—
I read, I researched, I followed instructions, and I trusted the process.
Twenty-one days.
That’s the “magic number.”
Place the fertilized eggs in the incubator. Keep the temperature and humidity just right. Let the system do its work. Wait.
And then—almost unbelievably—life begins to break through.
Tiny, wet, fragile chicks… awkwardly stumbling, flopping, learning how to use their bodies, figuring out what it means to be alive in a completely new world.
And I found myself thinking…
Isn’t this exactly what we do, too?
We Are Not Separate From Nature
We are born into this world much the same way.
Vulnerable. Learning. Adapting.
Finding our footing as we navigate a life full of twists, turns, challenges, and quiet moments of beauty.
Sometimes we forget this—but we are not separate from nature.
We are nature.
We are human animals with real, biological, emotional, and relational needs. And when those needs are met, we grow, adapt, and flourish—just like everything else in the natural world.
And when they aren’t… we struggle.
But struggle does not mean failure.
And it certainly does not mean we are broken.
What Nature Can Teach Us About Being Human and Living A Full Life
As I watched these chicks, I noticed something fascinating.
They didn’t need to be taught everything.
They already knew some things.
They peck instinctively—learning how to find food.
They huddle together—seeking warmth and safety.
They move toward life.
We are born with instincts, too.
Babies know how to suck for nourishment.
They turn toward their mother’s voice.
They seek connection.
Because connection isn’t optional.
It’s essential.
Just like those chicks needed the right conditions in the incubator to grow, we also need supportive conditions to develop and thrive.
Things like:
- Nourishment
- Movement
- Rest
- Safe, supportive relationships
- A sense of belonging
These are not luxuries.
They are foundational.
But Life Isn’t Perfect… Right?!
The truth is—life is not always neat or fair or optimal. It’s messy.
Most of us are not born into perfect conditions.
Many of us experience stress, disconnection, or environments that don’t fully support us or who we are.
So the question becomes:
Are we doomed if our starting conditions weren’t ideal?
Absolutely not.
Because nature shows us something else, too.
The Beauty of Imperfect Growth
Have you ever seen a tree growing high in the mountains or along a windy coastline?
Twisted. Bent. Weathered.
Shaped by years of wind, snow, drought, and pressure.
And yet…
Those are often the most beautiful trees.
Full of character. Unique. Strong in ways that straight, untouched trees are not.
They didn’t grow despite adversity.
They grew through it.
And we do, too.
The Role of Stress: Not All Stress Is Bad
In nature, a certain amount of stress is actually necessary for growth.
Trees develop strength in response to wind.
Muscles grow through resistance.
Even our nervous system learns through challenge.
But too much stress—especially without support—can overwhelm the system.
The goal isn’t to eliminate all stress.
It’s to create the right balance:
- Enough challenge to grow
- Enough support to stay grounded
This is where healing and intentional living begin.
A Gentle Path Forward: How We Can Begin to Grow and Heal
If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, you’re not alone.
And there is a way forward.
Not a perfect, linear path—but a gentle, human one.
Here are a few places to begin:
1. Come Back to the Basics
Ask yourself:
- Am I nourishing my body regularly?
- Am I getting enough rest?
- Am I moving in ways that feel supportive?
Small shifts here can create powerful change.
2. Seek Safe Connection
We are not meant to do life alone.
This could look like:
- A trusted friend
- A partner
- A therapist or support space
- Even reconnecting with nature itself
Connection creates safety—and safety allows for growth.
3. Practice Self-Compassion
Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?”
Try asking, “What do I need right now?”
You are not behind.
You are not broken.
You are responding to your life in the best way you know how.
4. Let Life Teach You
Every experience—especially the hard ones—holds information.
Growth doesn’t come from avoiding life.
It comes from being willing to gently learn from it. To face and fell difficult experiences and emotions with self-compassion. Facing and feeling allows us to move through things.
5. Start Small
Healing and growth don’t happen all at once.
They happen in small, repeated moments:
- Keeping a promise to yourself
- Taking a breath instead of reacting
- Choosing rest when you need it
Change happens in the slow lane.
And that’s okay.
A Reminder to Carry With You
There’s a quote I’ve carried with me for years, shared by one of my favorite professors:
“I am a unique and precious person, ever doing my best at my current level of awareness.”
Let that sink in…
You are not meant to be finished.
You are meant to be becoming.
Closing
Just like those tiny chicks—awkward, learning, growing into themselves—
We are all finding our way.
Not perfectly.
But meaningfully.
And that, in itself, is something to be in awe of.
Continue the Journey
If something in this resonated with you, you’re not alone.
This space is here to support you as you continue learning, healing, and creating a life that feels more aligned and full.
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This post is part of a bigger conversation around healing, growth, and living a full life.
More resources and deeper topics will be shared here on the blog.
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Wherever you are on your path—
you’re allowed to take it one step at a time.
Thank you for being here and sharing this part of the journey with me.
With love,
Sharon