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"All growth is a leap in the dark, a spontaneous, unpremeditated act without benefit of experience."

- Henry Miller

Growing in the dark

As I opened the door and stepped into the darkness of my kitchen pantry to grab my box of Cheerios this morning I looked down and noticed a bag of potatoes, which had been sitting on the floor for a few weeks.

Upon closer examination I could see that most of the potatoes had begun to push out little sprouts. As any potato aficionado knows, the sprouts are an indication that the potato is trying to grow- and even the darkness of a pantry can't stop it from doing so.

It is well documented that if you want to see the spud sprout rapidly, all one needs to do is place the potato in the light of day. Keeping them in total darkness slows down the process, but even in pitch darkness there is something within the potato that knows it's supposed to seek growth and expansion, despite poor growing conditions.

Therein lies the lesson: As strange as this may sound, you and I have a great deal in common with the potato.

That same "something" lies within each of us and it's constantly seeking growth and expansion through us, and even our darkest of times can't stop it from having its way. The primary difference is that the potato has no choice in the matter, where it appears that we think we do.

For our purposes here, "the darkness" can symbolize challenging times, or it can simply represent the unknown. Often we seek "perfect" growing conditions before we sprout new life. We prefer the comfort of being able to "see where we are growing."

Wouldn't it be great if all of our growth opportunities came in times of light, love, blue skies and green lights, where it felt good and we could see where we are going? Unfortunately however, that's not the way it works.

The reality is, we are destined to grow. Our only choice is: Will it be consciously or unconsciously? There can be great and personal growth for us as we consciously push out into the darkness, as well as the light.

The truth is, some of our most meaningful personal growth can be stimulated when life appears the darkest and most uncertain. The darkness doesn't seem to stifle the growth of a potato, and you know where mushrooms grow- buried deeply in a pile of manure. Perhaps nature's wisdom has much to teach us regarding our growth.

Is it time for you to sprout some new growth? If the answer is yes, don't wait until "growing conditions" are perfect, because they seldom are.

Don't turn away from your dark times, lean into them and invite the wisdom of the Infinite present there to reveal the meaning and purpose of the moment- let the experience become your teacher. Push out into life and grow, regardless of the conditions, because that's why you are here- to evolve and grow into the spectacular being you are.

Let this be the day that you allow your challenge, setback or uncertainty to become your stimulus for conscious and personal growth.

As you take time to look directly into the face of that challenge, setback or uncertainty, invite the inherent wisdom of God moving in, through and as you to reveal what you need to know in order to grow consciously.

Personalize the experience and welcome those times by trusting and knowing there is as much of God's presence in a kitchen pantry as there is in the Sistine Chapel.

Dennis Merritt is the spiritual director of OneSpirit Center for Conscious Living in Simi Valley. His website is www.OneSpirit.org.