Dont Just Go....Grow!

Growing, not just merely going through all the challenges of life, will make a difference in the end result of our lives.  We should never stop growing.

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Don’t Just Go....Grow!

Our office manager Cathy, just bought me the most thoughtful gift this past week and with the card accompanying the gift, came the beautifully scripted words of the sentiment I believe I’ve heard before, but this time I really HEARD it, you know what I mean?  It said: Don’t go through life, Grow through life.  

I can’t stop thinking about that, and I’ve been asking myself some real questions about how I’m going through life, right here and right now, wanna join me?

When I reflect, I feel like I’m growing in some ways. I’ve learned to master the compilation and distribution of a podcast, and all the technical things I didn’t have the inklings of a clue before, that’s something.

I’m learning a lot more about myself in the process,  and just how much I need this work and the designated, concentrated effort on the things that I need to personally work on. 

There are a few other things I recognize as well, but sadly, I fear I may be letting myself off the hook when it comes to real, significant growth.  in fact, if I’m being honest, right now I might feel a bit like I’m muddling through, in most areas of my life. 

 I think sometimes we all find ourselves just settling where we are, because, well, it’s just plain easier, and by nature, we are inclined to take the easiest course, not the course less traveled.  The one where we have to charge ahead, using the machete to carve our way through an unfamiliar jungle.  And just because we feel like life is a challenge doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be challenging ourselves to grow through those experiences, right?

I found this thought land squarely in my noggin.  Instead of just putting your shoulder to the wheel and pushing a long so to speak, in order to have something to show for this period of life, I’m going to need to push myself to grow.  So How are you doing in the areas of personal, physical, intellectual and spiritual growth? 

Og Mandino said: “The important thing is that we must be constantly moving forward – yes, the progressive realization of a predetermined goal.  And our growth should never end”.  

So, Upon further reflection and a date with a pad and pen, I wrote down a few areas I felt like I could grow in and I’ll challenge you to do the same. 

The first was to grow in gratitude.  You know as well as I do that the antidote for a crappy, poor-me, this stinks attitude is to switch the gear to one of gratitude.  That’s not always easy, but after an Oprah Winfrey episode a decade ago, I started writing in a gratitude journal.  I bought the prettiest leather bound book I could find, put it right by my nightstand, complete with a pen, and told myself I couldn’t go to sleep till I wrote down at least 10 things I was grateful for that day, then I did the same first thing in the morning.  You know what?  That really works for intentionally planting your thoughts in the right direction.  That’s something I’m starting again.  NOW! Have you ever tried it?  I can’t recommend that practice enough! 

The next is to grow in good health -  I’m not going to call the growth of the numbers of my scale a real win, I need to grow in health, and that’s where that weight can circle back around and bite you in the 53 year old fanny.  Ouch!  This prospective has given me a pretty good wake-up call to taking my health for granted for most of my life, and here I am, yet again, getting to make the decision to move forward or throw my hands up in the air again, because I’m feeling the push-back of middle age.  
What can we do to challenge ourselves and grow in good health, does it mean, preparing for your first marathon, like my daughter in laws, or lessening your sugar, or soda, or chocolate intake, that’s soooo hard!  
For me, it may, (and I say that very loosely), look like a gym membership that will have me and Doug’s names on them.  Yikes, you guys, you may not believe this, but I’ve been in a gym exactly ONCE in my entire life.  I’m strongly opposed to me in spandex in public, but I need to move more, and I’ve had a lot of people tell me it’s the best way to move…with friends, and music….so maybe, I’ll keep you posted on that, but for sure it will include the home-fresh membership we just signed up for, so that WE, (did you catch that Doug), can cook healthier without as much time.  And we’ve committed to going for a walk every evening together after work.  I look forward to that one a lot. 

What about growing with goals? It is said that a goal not written is just a wish.  What are your goals?  Do you have room to grow through setting appropriate goals for self-development? Do you currently have short-term and long term goals, written out with a step by step plan and timetable of how to achieve those goals?  Do you have goals for every area of your life?  Physical, Emotional, Intellectual and Spiritual? 

Every single New Years day for most of my adult life has found me writing my goals for the new year, and recalling how well I did on last years.  This past January was a weird one in the depths of the Covid pandemic, and It just occurred to me, now 6 months into 2021, that I don’t have written goals.  No wonder I feel like I’m muddling my way through, I don’t have my destination pre-set in my internal GPS.  The good news is, it’s NEVER too late to make the change.  This moment can change the trajectory of not only our day’s, but our months, years and the full future of our lives.  I’m rectifying that oversight right now.  How about you?  What are your goals?

Growing in gumption is next on my list, what does that mean?  Gumption means spirited initiative and resourcefulness.  Doesn’t that sound awesome?   Who doesn’t want to be that person.  Someone with gumption is a someone with guts, who is not afraid, but is courageous and determined to move forward.  I’ll be completely honest here, but there are several areas of my life where I’d rather fly under the radar just a bit, believe it or not, and without being prideful, I see that if I could build my little gumption muscle, I could have a broader reach and use my gifts and talents to be a better tool in God’s hands to help build His kingdom here on the earth.   I need to not allow fear to get in the way of my success, or my happiness.  I was just recently asked to MC a big event.  I didn’t want to commit and not be able to give 100% due to my heavy work load, so I politely declined, but I secretly knew I would be scared to death to be scrutinized by that many people.  I need to work on that little gumption muscle so that I can fearlessly and unapologetically reach out and grab the opportunities that come my way, or even better, make my own way!! 
What would you love to do, that scares you to death?  Is there anything on your bucket list that you’d really like to try?  Is there something that deep inside you know you should be working on, but can’t’ get up the courage to start? 

David Viscott was quoted as saying: “If you could get up the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.
The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.”

Last, but certainly not least on my list of areas I’d like to see more personal growth, is Growing with God.  On the church’s blog I found this little gem called Try This for a Change: 4 Simple Steps to Self-Improvement
By Sean Johnson, he said “We forget sometimes, when making plans to improve, to check in with the One who made the plan. The scriptures promise that 'He shall direct [our] paths' if only we will ask—but do we remember to ask?
He knows us—and our spiritual blind spots—better than anyone. If we humbly inquire, 'What lack I yet', then He can inspire us to consider paths that we may have overlooked but that lead to the most joy”.
Spending more time investing in my relationship with my Father in Heaven and my Savior, His Son Jesus Christ, is one way I can grow with God.  For me, mornings, early, before the rest of my day intrudes, is when I am most clear and alert.  Setting aside more time every day to really converse, study and learn to know His will on my behalf  helps me feel more centered and capable in all areas of my life. 
No one appreciates being in a one-sided relationship.  I have one family member who is currently working through the people in her life to weed out those who are not willing to invest as much in a relationship as she is. We certainly don’t ever want God to feel that way, that we only turn to Him when we need something do we?  So how can we grow with God?  Can we grow toward Him, or submit to His will so that He can help us grow?  You might ask yourself a few questions like I did to find the answers there.  

One of God’s greatest gifts, President Monson taught  is the ability to try again, and again, and again. In his talk titled The Will Within, Ensign 1987, he said “Our responsibility is to rise from mediocrity to competence, from failure to achievement. Our task is to become our best selves. One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final."
Like I’ve told my children all their lives, God knows us better than we know ourselves, and He knows how utterly imperfect we are are, but I believe He never wants us to stop trying to improve. 
The best advice I can share on personal growth, where we can improve, stretch and grow, and how to prioritize that growth, is found in the New Testament.  We know the story of 
of Saul of Tarsus. Saul was going about threatening the disciples of the Lord. In Chapter 9 of Acts we read vs. 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” 
Vs 6 continues to tell Saul exactly what God wanted Him to do, and guess what?  He’ll do exactly that for us too.  So start there, by asking Lord, what wilt thou have me to do to grow in the important areas of my life that will bless me and others.  
 
So I want to challenge each of your to do some internal homework and let’s make a goal not to just go through life, but to grow through it.  Enjoy your week and I'll see you next time.