Growth is important.
My son was 19-and-a-half inches long when he was born—a very appropriate size for a newborn. But he had to grow!
He grew to be six feet tall. Then he stopped growing and that was good! What if he had gone on–seven feet, eight feet, nine feet. . . .
You get the idea. Our physical size should stay static.
Mental growth is a different story. First we learn to talk, then read, and then process ideas. Gradually, we figure out how to put those ideas to work in our lives.
And that becomes wisdom.
Wisdom is knowledge that is gained by having many experiences in life. And by the time we arrive this side of 60 or this side of 80, we have garnered a huge amount of wisdom.
But we always must remember that wisdom is never arrogant! Thus, there’s always more to learn. And it’s important that we never stop learning and growing as long as we live.
In his book “15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential,” John Maxwell says it is imperative that you find your life passion and purpose in order to be a happy and successful person.
Maxwell is an international speaker and a prolific author of books designed to help the reader grow. His books are so helpful that he’s sold more than 19 million worldwide.
And, he says, it’s up to you to “grow yourself.”
The best way to begin growing is by asking questions–the right questions. The author quotes Anthony Robbins: “Successful people ask better questions, and as a result they get better answers.”
So begin with questions. Do you like what you’re doing now? What would you really like to do? And when are you going to start doing what you would like to do?
Or should you be changing your goals? Especially as you age. Remember, flexibility is always a good thing.
In order to find your passion, you have to know yourself–know who you are. For that purpose, it is helpful to apply the “law of the mirror.”
As you look in the mirror, Maxwell suggests you begin with the “one-word strategy.” If you could pick only one word to describe yourself, what would it be?
Nice . . . productive . . . helpful . . . talented. . . . You come up with the word. Give credit to, and be appreciative of, yourself when you choose the word.
After you have chosen your word, Maxwell says, “Make that word your North Star as you begin adding value to yourself.”
Two more important laws to follow as you grow yourself: “the law of modelling” and “the law of contribution.”
When it comes to modelling, it is hard to improve when you have no one but yourself to follow. So, who would be your role model? A 95-year-old friend, your grandmother, a writer such as Anne Morrow Lindbergh (one of my role models!)
It is never too late to learn from others.
That brings us to the law of contribution. And that’s the whole point of growing–you must reach your potential in order to make a contribution.
As you grow yourself, you are able to add more value to the lives of others.
So why not start right now. Grow yourself with the “one-word strategy.”
Write Marie Snider at thisside60@cox.net
