With Love and Growth

There are many different moments throughout our lives that often leave an impact. Sometimes, we might forget them, then in the span of second, a memory pops up. I had this happen to me recently. A moment last year that reminded me why writing and reflection matters. I was walking alone along the beach in Cuba, headphones in, listening to one of my favourite songs as the shoreline stretched endlessly ahead of me. The water was impossibly clear, the kind of blue that feels almost unreal, and the sun was shining so brightly it felt like it was illuminating something inside me as much as the world around me. With every step, the sand shifted softly beneath my feet, grounding me in a way I didn’t know I needed. And somewhere between the rhythm of the waves, the music in my ears, and the warmth on my skin, I felt myself pause, not physically, but internally.

For a brief moment, I wasn’t worrying or planning or replaying anything. I wasn’t trying to grow or improve or figure anything out. I was simply there, fully present, fully alive, fully myself. It struck me how rare that feeling is, and how easily we forget that growth isn’t always about striving or pushing forward. Sometimes, it’s about noticing the quiet moments that remind us of who we’re becoming. Sometimes, it’s about absorbing the beauty of where we are in that moment, remembering what it feels like to be at peace, and letting that memory anchor us when life becomes loud again. That walk on the beach didn’t give me answers, but it gave me clarity, the kind that whispers. And maybe that’s the real work of growth: learning to recognize those moments of tranquility as part of the journey, not necessarily a break from it.

What’s a recent moment of peace you’ve experienced?

If you’d like to share your thoughts with me, I’d love to hear from you! You can reach me at:withloveandgrowth@gmail.com