Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Most of us wake up, work, manage responsibilities, deal with interruptions, and repeat—day after day. Without even realizing it, we can fall into the rhythm of simply going through life. But Eric Butterworth, a spiritual teacher and New Thought author, offered a beautiful and transformative alternative: “Don’t just go through life—grow through life.”

This quote challenges us to live with purpose, awareness, and personal accountability. It asks us to stop cruising on autopilot and instead engage each moment as an opportunity to evolve.

🌱 What It Really Means to Grow Through Life

To “go through life” is to exist without intention. It's when days blur together, and personal growth takes a backseat to routine. But to “grow through life” is to meet every moment—especially the hard ones—with curiosity and courage. It’s about learning from failure, celebrating small wins, and allowing life's experiences to shape you into a better version of yourself.

Growth doesn’t always come in grand epiphanies. Often, it’s forged quietly through resilience, reflection, and choosing to rise one more time after setbacks.

🧠 Who Was Eric Butterworth?

Eric Butterworth (1916–2003) was a spiritual teacher in the Unity movement, known for bringing practical, empowering spirituality to everyday life. He believed that every person has divine potential and that we are here not merely to survive life but to transform through it.

His teachings, including this quote, emphasize that we are not passive recipients of fate—we are active co-creators in our journey. His work encourages people to step into their own power and cultivate growth, no matter their circumstances.

🔍 Key Takeaways from This Quote

• Be present. Don’t sleepwalk through life. Show up fully.

• Embrace the lesson. Challenges aren’t detours—they’re the curriculum.

• Reflect often. Growth begins with awareness and self-honesty.

• Choose growth over comfort. Expansion rarely happens in the safety zone.
  

🧰 Tools to Help You Grow

Here’s a curated list of books, resources, and practices to help you live out this mindset in your everyday life:

📚 Books to Fuel Your Growth:

• Discover the Power Within You – Eric Butterworth

• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Carol Dweck

• The Untethered Soul – Michael A. Singer

• The Obstacle Is the Way – Ryan Holiday

• Falling Upward – Richard Rohr

🎧 Talks & Audio:

• Eric Butterworth – “You Can Change Your Life” (Unity Audio Archive)

• Dr. Wayne Dyer – The Power of Intention (Audiobook)

• Brené Brown – The Power of Vulnerability (TED Talk)

✍️ Journaling Prompts:

• What have I learned about myself this week?

• How can I reframe today’s challenge as growth?

• What area of my life is asking me to evolve?

🧘‍♂️ Tools & Practices:

• Daily gratitude or reflection journal

• Guided meditations (via Calm, Headspace, or Insight Timer)

• Growth mindset worksheets (MindsetWorks.com)

🌐 Online Communities:

• Unity.org – Teachings and archives by Eric Butterworth

• Greater Good Science Center – Research on personal well-being

• Tiny Buddha – Articles on growth, mindfulness, and healing
  

✨ Final Thoughts

Life isn’t just something to “get through”—it’s something to grow through. Whether you’re in a season of uncertainty, ambition, burnout, or transformation, you are being invited to expand. You are not the same person you were yesterday, and that’s the point.

So ask yourself often:

Am I just getting through today, or am I letting today grow me?

Growth isn't always easy, but it’s always worth it. Each moment, even the difficult ones, holds the seed of becoming—if you're willing to plant it.