By Jasmin Acosta,
Healthy Planet Staff Writer
The environment that surrounds us profoundly shapes who we are, but not all environments nurture our personal growth. Some environments can have a detrimental impact on our well-being and development.
Unfortunately, when an unhealthy environment is all we have ever known, we often remain unaware of any existence beyond its confines. We may find a sense of comfort within those walls, despite the harm they cause. This comfort often keeps us from leaving, even as we begin wishing for something different. We hope for change, believing in its potential, yet continue to stay in an environment that hurts us.
While we may wish for our current environment to change, it is important to acknowledge that we only have so much control. Often, we cannot create change in our environment despite our efforts and hopes. Instead, we must focus on what we can control.
We need to accept that some environments are beyond our control, but we can control our reactions within those situations. We have the power to manage our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Although we may desire for our hostile environment to change, we cannot expect to find peace in a place that continuously causes us pain.
Our ability to heal is hindered when we remain in an environment that makes us sick. At times, we even become accustomed to this sickness, clinging to the hope that the environment will eventually change and heal us. However, it is crucial to recognize that true healing often requires stepping beyond those walls.
Often, this sense of familiarity traps us, weaving us into a web of hope and yearning for our reality of change. Despite the discomfort it brings, it has become a second skin that feels impossible to shed. Yet, within these confines, lies the challenge and the courage to step into the unknown. It is about daring to break free from comfort to discover what lies beyond these walls that have shaped us.
Once we gather the courage to leave behind the familiar, seeking healing and growth beyond our past confines, we set forth on a transformative journey. As we walk away, we recognize the challenges ahead, yet we also embrace the vast potential of a world ready to fulfill our deepest hopes and dreams—possibilities far beyond what the old walls could ever contain.