Following the Calling

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone

Sometimes the spaces that call us the loudest are the ones that scare us the most.

Few weeks ago, I followed a calling and stepped back into a space that has supported me personally and professionally — traditional healing.

I had thoughts. I had doubts. And, if I’m honest, I listened to the opinions of others before making the decision to go back.

But something inside me kept saying, go.

So I did.

Stepping into a space where I’m not fluent in te reo, where I don’t have a huge connection to the whenua or all the knowledge and whakapapa that others carry, has been scary as hell. There have been moments where I’ve felt like I’m finding my feet, learning, listening and trying to understand my place within the space.

But three weeks in, I’m so grateful I stepped outside my comfort zone.

Because healing isn’t about knowing everything.

Sometimes healing is about being willing to listen, learn, respect and remain open.

Every wahine brings her own story.

Her own experiences.

Her own knowledge.

Her own gifts.

And what I’ve loved most is seeing the support and encouragement between us. Watching friendships begin to form. Sitting in spaces where people openly share their stories, their knowledge and their gifts.

Whether that’s learning about rongoā, hearing the history of the trees and whenua, learning about the lore connected to places, or simply listening to someone share what has been passed down to them — there is so much beauty in being willing to learn.

I’m reminded that we don’t have to arrive knowing everything.

We can arrive with humility.

We can ask questions.

We can listen.

We can honour the knowledge of others.

And we can allow ourselves to grow.

This journey has reminded me why I followed the calling in the first place.

Traditional healing has been part of my own healing journey. It has supported me in ways that are difficult to put into words. Now, being able to learn more, to understand more and to sit alongside others who are also walking their own paths feels incredibly special.

Maybe stepping outside your comfort zone doesn't always feel like confidence.

Sometimes it feels like fear.

Sometimes it feels like What the hell am I doing?

And sometimes it feels like being the beginner in the room.

But maybe that's exactly where growth begins.

Three weeks in, I’m glad I listened to that little voice inside me.

I’m glad I followed the calling.

I’m glad I said yes.

And I’m grateful for the wahine, the stories, the learning, the laughter, the connections and the moments that are already becoming part of this journey.

I don't need to know everything.
I just need to keep showing up, listening, learning and respecting the journey.

Sometimes the path that scares you is the very path that brings you back to yourself.