The process of Growth

Growth is wonderful and, what’s more, inherent in nature. Everything that has breath experiences the joy of growth. That’s right! Growth is such a joy to behold because it brings into full sight beauty and glory.

Nonetheless, growth for some might be daunting, energy draining and ultimately excruciatingly painful. But why is that?

When was the last time we saw a caterpillar whining in much anguish and discomfort to transform itself into a fully fledged butterfly?

How about the trees around us…ever heard their moans from all their growth pains?

Nature really gives us a different perspective on the process of growth- one which is not so familiar to the average man.

I’m not attempting to explain the scientific phenomenon of growth or anything of that sort. For once, let science take care of itself. Instead, I want to suggest some impulses that I think bring about many of the unpleasant experiences associated with growth in today’s world.

We all have dreams, ambitions and visions. No matter how soiled and wrapped up they are in the mud of disappointment, despair and frustration, they are still safely locked somewhere in our hearts.

All these (dreams, ambitions and visions) in one way or the other create an eagerness within us. This eagerness is a positive energy as long as we know what to do with it. Mention must be made of the fact that the intensity of this eagerness varies from one person to another.

The painful experience of growth is unfortunately, the inability to channel the eagerness within in the right direction especially when we realize the glory, fulfilment and satisfaction that come with accomplishing our dreams.

But can I tell you something? There’s a stark difference between frustrating and challenging. I’ve seen many motivational speakers and marketers capitalizing on the misunderstanding of these two very different words to achieve their parochial objective of productivity.

The classical marketer when given the platform will try as much as possible to make the audience feel bad about themselves for not patronizing his products and again, makes them believe that they’re better off if they get maybe a dozen of his products immediately. Are they right or wrong in doing that? Well, I’m not quite sure. Anyways, this article isn’t about judgement, it’s more about discernment.

What frustrates you causes you to be irritable and to react usually without any logical basis. The only reason we have to show for our actions will be the promised bliss on the other side. When all your dream ever does is to frustrate you, then it needs some evaluation.

A challenge on the other hand brings the best out of you; where you’re able to respond with much consciousness and awareness of exactly what you are doing.

The litmus test for me has always been: Is this dream producing in me an eagerness to have things before the right attitude or vice versa?

The desire to have things before the right attitude is what makes growth painful and harsh on our souls.

Like it or not, between your present and the future you envision is the process of growth and the only way you will make it through is by having the right attitude.

To overcome the pain of growth, concentrate on what the achievement of your dreams will make out of you. Immediately you get this, it will be a 180˚ spin in your life.

You’ll love to dream and envision new heights because at each turn you will realize something unique about yourself. Then you can gladly say, I like who I’m becoming.