Are You Growing or Dying?

You really only have two options: growth or death. You don’t get to stay the same - because everything changes. Businesses, relationships, the human soul never stay the same. They’re either moving forward: growing; or they’re dying.

Consider the business that tries to stay the same in a changing world. No doubt about it, they’ll have to shut the doors if they don’t have an online presence, or at least an email account!

A relationship cannot stay the same. Either the two individuals constantly and steadfastly work to make it better, or it fades and maybe even ends.

The human soul is no different. No one can stay the same. If you try to stay the same, if you refuse to develop yourself, if you don’t practice being an ever-better human being, then you’re starving your soul and it will die. Your body may not die. But your soul will shrivel in on itself and wither. Growth is as necessary for the human soul as it is for businesses and relationships.

Are you feeding your soul? Are you growing?

Or are you trying to stay the same?

Staying the same looks like this:

  • Are you easily irritated?
  • Do people get under your skin?
  • Do you feel easily defensive?
  • Are you complaining about challenges?
  • Are you afraid of certain tasks?
  • Do you rigidly hold on to your opinions?
  • Do you expect an apology before you can forgive?
  • Do you hold grudges and refuse to let things go?
  • Are you judgmental of other people, what they do and who they are?
  • Are you always right?
  • Are you jealous, needy, cranky, frustrated, or bitter?

I think each and every one of us will say yes to at least a couple of these questions. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being that work in progress. “I’m a mess, but I’m working on it!”

Staying the same isn’t really staying the same. It’s going backwards. If you’re not growing, you’re dying. Here’s five things to keep in mind when it comes to growing: 

  1. Learning takes place formally in school and workshops, but your best learning comes from the school of life.
  2. You can learn and grow from, and be inspired by everyone you meet, but it isn’t your smart friends or wise family members who will make you grow the most. It’s the most annoying co-worker, the snail-slow customer service representative, the world’s worst driver, the toughest student, the most difficult child who will make you grow the most.
  3. Each situation can bring out the best in you. But it’s not that big a deal if you’re patient and forgiving, loving and caring with the situations in your life that you enjoy the most. Growth comes when you are patient and forgiving, loving and caring in the most challenging situations, with the most difficult people.
  4. Every one of life’s moments can teach a lesson. Approach each and every situation with an open heart to have a growth heartset. The moment you feel your heart close to a situation…that’s your cue: time to grow!
  5. Growing looks like choosing to be a better version of you. It is about acceptance, forgiveness, and compassion. It’s about being courageous. It’s about being strong but flexible. It’s about listening, speaking from the heart, caring, and helping. It’s about love. When you choose love, you grow.

Not sure where in your life to choose love? Check out the 42 Day Choice Challenge - it's a simple, powerful way to grow!

Here’s to Conquering Stress,

The Stress Experts

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