20 years! Last year, I reached the 20-year mark as a professional life and leadership coach. A milestone I never thought I’d reach. Not because I didn’t think I could, but because I loved my career path so much that the time flew by.

As I continue to reflect on my journey and what I have learned over the two decades, more gems keep surfacing. Today’s reflection is about human potential and growth. Unlike life, which replicates and flourishes when the environment permits, humans have to opt into growth.

Here are five key considerations:

1. We don’t create possibilities. Possibilities already exist. They surround us 24/7, 365 days a year. The bigger question is, do we have access to possibilities? “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters.” Galatians 5:13

2. Possibilities are accessed through opportunities. Opportunities are the doorways to possibility. Opportunities we can create, or we can shut down. Through our behaviors, attitudes, choices, and responsiveness, we either open doors or slam them shut. “Only do not use your freedom for an opportunity of the flesh, but through the love of one another.” Galatians 5:14

3. We are equipped with an abstract mind. We are capable of grasping great truths, or we are capable of being ensnared by what is not true. Therefore, the biggest journey we will take in life is to navigate from the truth to deception and back to truth. This journey strengthens wisdom and character. “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.” Galatians 5:19-21

4. We are equipped with an abstract mind. When we limit our focus towards what we don’t have, we limit our access to God’s freedom, God’s healing and new opportunities. “But I say, walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh.” Galatians 5:16-17

5. Therefore, the three most powerful questions we can ask ourselves and answer in our lifetime are:

a. What am I running from?

b. What am I running to?

c. Why?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23