The Need To Keep Growing
So often it happens that we live out our lives in chains and we never know we have the key.
From the song, Already Gone, by the Eagles.
We all need to grow. Growing is as necessary as breathing. It is part of humankind’s DNA. We’re hard-wired to be curious and always hungry for more.
When you are growing, you’re full of energy. One idea effortlessly flows into another. The ensuing sense of accomplishment propels you ever further, from one achievement to the next. Nothing seems beyond your reach.
On the other hand, when you stop growing, inevitably your life begins to diminish. Things aren’t as much fun. You become stale and dull. Worst of all, you begin to lose your courage.
Growing is a creative process, centred around:
1. Keeping an open mind – developing and nurturing the ability and willingness to change your mind based on new and experiences.
2. Practicing empathy – being able to step into the shoes of those whose lives are vastly different from yours. You can never understand the reality of others unless you have had a taste of it yourself.
3. Making a difference – taking practical action to alleviate other people’s misfortunes, and extending a helping hand.
4. Living more simply – keeping all the stuff in perspective.
5. Expanding your social circle – the best way to challenge your assumptions and prejudices and develop new ways of looking at the world is to surround yourself with those whose lives and lifestyles differ from yours, rather than hanging around with people who share your world view and your place in it.
Wonder where to start? Invite someone new to dinner… and go from there.