Life never stands still. It is either on the upward trajectory of growth or on the declining path of impending extinction. As humans, it leaves us with two options; we can let nature and outside circumstances follow their natural course or we can pursue the quest for personal growth and self-actualization.

We are never too old to expand and grow. What nature has taken away in terms of physical integrity, it has given back on the levels of experience and maturity. The playing field may have changed but the opportunities and possibilities for growth have in no way diminished.

As we grow older, our bag of tool is better equipped, our bank of references is richer and the lights of experiences have replaced the shadows of doubts and incertitude. With maturity come opportunities.

Personal growth is above all a state of mind. The inquisitive mind will find the learning and growing lessons that reside in the petal of a flower, on the snowy peak of mountaintops or in the chips of computers. With the right state of mind, everything is a learning and growing lesson.

If knowledge is a function of growth and self-actualization, achievement is its expression. Knowledge without outward manifestation is moot. Knowing without using has no effect on the growing process. Wisdom without outlet and expression is like a song that no one can hear. Useless.

Personal growth also requires the domination of faith over fear. Faith fosters the necessary expression of life; fear promotes its archenemy, paralysis. Faith gives life the oxygen essential to its survival and expansion. Fear is the cold wind that freezes and paralyses the spark necessary for growth and expansion.

Faith in the future inspires and motivates. It clears doubts and shouts for action. It sustains in rough times and gives wings when the sailing is smooth. Faith is the fuel of achievements and the motor of self-expression. With faith, anything is possible, without it, life is nothing but a struggle for survival. That’s a fight that can only ends in eventual failure.

Life and growth also require the stimulating effects of the winds of changes. They need to experience the diversity of the unknown and the input of new conditions and situations. Growth and wisdom are the fruits of experience. Nothing can grow in the void. Once the juice has been sapped out of an experience, another one is needed to supply a new source of energy and inspiration.

Self-actualization requires succeeding and different challenges. Some of those challenges are graciously offered by life itself. Others are self-created. Both kinds serve a purpose but the latter are the best sources of input and wisdom.

To grow, we need to slay dragons, climb mountains and sail uncharted seas. That is where our resources are taxed to the limits; where true growth is spurred on and new and unsuspected insight flourishes. Those self-imposed challenges are the ultimate fertilizers needed to reach our full potential.

We are work in progress and so long as we remain as such, we are in life-growing mode. The moment that we decide to stop striving and start coasting, we are in deep trouble. The status quo is not an option. Either we grow or we go.

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