- Growth is a familiar word to everyone and none is capable of skipping it, but it occurs differently amongst individuals due to our hormonal, psychological, emotional, personality, physical and spiritual differences. So, “what is growth?” According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of the New 8th Edition, ” Growth is the process of growing physically, mentally or emotionally. It’s equally an increase in the size, amount or degree of something. “
Notwithstanding the angle one looks at growth from, “increase” still remains the soul, factor and essence of it. This is just a shift from what used to be to something new and it never occur without our inputs and expectations. It’s via this knowledge that we consider and understand words of some great minds as thus:
#1. Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle (Napoleon Hill)
#2. Growth and self-transformation cannot be delegated (Lewis Mumford)
#3. If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living (Gail Sheehy)
Moreover, there comes a time in one’s life when one really needs to grow because he/she is no more comfortable with the status quo and events unfolding around him/her. At such point, one can say that a change is needed and that’s growth taking place. Beware that no growth occurs smoothly unlike the illusions of daydreaming and mere wishes. If one cannot handle critics and other negativities in life, then growth is still farfetched. Bear in mind that since one needs to detach oneself from some people and things for one’s growth, same applies to others for theirs.
Mostly, we do get confused in our bid for growth but instead it seems everything is falling apart. Example:
#A. You’ve got some rich friends and family members that always take you to fancy and expensive places for fun, buy your property whenever you put them up for sale; yet they claim to be broke and obviously avoid your company anytime you come up with a business plan that needs their funds.
#B. You are in an abusive relationship and it’s really weighing you down but you still love your partner. You keep tolerating and forgiving his/her misconducts till you’ve had enough and breakup is the only option, but you are highly dependent on the partner. Now what do you do?
“Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth,” said by John F. Kennedy. When you need to grow, you must be ready to create your own paths, habits, to appear different from the usual, to be ridiculed, disappointed and rejected, but never downplay your endurance and persistence. Remember, true friends and foes are always revealed when change/growth is needed. Also, it’s in this realm of our lives that all we are and claim to know are properly tested. Hence, everything changes WHEN YOU NEED TO GROW.
Paschal Orakweogu (Sir_JP_)