All change is not growth, as all movement is not forward.
Ellen Glasgow
Ever ran into someone you hadn't seen in years (intentionally or not) and the interaction left you wondering if they were frozen in a time warp? The body ages and the effects are visible in the physical. However individual growth and improvement is another story. I remember having a conversation with a close friend where she commented that if she found herself in the same position mentally a year later, she knows she didn't experience any growth. Without limiting ourselves to the "New Year Resolutions", it does benefit us to search ourselves to see if we are growing. TD Jakes(my mentor in my head) said that if you are still dealing with the same struggle/issue after say a five year period you are circling the same mountain.
Change is often a dreaded process, but I've been learning that like my other mentor in my head Tony Gaskins said recently to be effective you have to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. The comfort zone rejects the very idea of change- If it aint broke dont fix it mentality. I get bored easily and as a result the comfort zone contributed to my previous state of unhappiness. Being ridiculously unbothered in my comfort zone giving just enough to life meant that's all I got from it. Pursuing growth and striving always for excellence (cues Charlemont High School song lol if you went there you'll get it) in my life has made it more interesting and enjoyable.
Since no one has it ALL together, growth and forward movement are necessary. I knew I wanted to grow but I didn't necessarily want the hassle of the change that came with it, crazy I know, but I'm just keeping it real. Doing the work is pretty unattractive and painstaking, but change in some form is needed for growth. While at the same time changing doesn't mean you are growing, as some change just renders things different, not necessarily better.
I've had one of those weeks where not much made sense to me in my journey. I know some of the experiences were to test all the talk I've been talking. Let's face it, information does not equal application, so without applying all you learn, it's just crap to say yes I know it but..... So we will be tested based on all the information we obtain, just like an examination and the results will tell on you. Our actions and reactions tell on us, whether we are growing or not, what areas still need work and where we have mastered. Man it gets so annoying sometimes if I'm to be honest BUT I am loving it.
I just remind myself that my journey is just that MINE. I have to be content with going at my pace and not compare my chapter ONE with someone's chapter TWENTY (@realTalkKim posted this on twitter :-) )
At the end of the week as I do my recap, I can see where I have improved or not and really talk to God about some stuff and ask His guidance to strategize. He is so patient and kind... Whew.
So, with each day I am gifted, I say cheers to living, loving and more importantly.... growing.
