A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.
~ Mohammed Ali
When a public school system student is struggling academically there are a variety of resources available to help. The student can meet with the teacher for extra instruction. Private learning centers and summer school classes are available. Parents can even hire a private tutor to give their child personalized attention. These resources are there to help the student advance to the next level.
Real life on the other hand is not like public schools. Education is not preparation for life. Education is life itself. Life is a classroom where important lessons are taught daily. If we learn the lessons life intended we pass and graduate to the next level. However, if we fail to learn our lessons we are held back and required to repeat the class.
Unlike the public school system, real life doesn’t care if we move on to the next level. We must take the same test over and over again until we pass. It’s not until we finally get it are we cleared to advance to the higher levels of life.
There are many of us (adults) who, out of arrogance or ignorance, refuse to take responsibility for the results of their life. We sit in the back of the class, being the class clown, ignoring our teachers and their lessons. We flunk out of every class and fail to advance to the next grade. As students we grow physically older, but emotionally or mentally we end up spending our lives in the same class being taught the same lesson over and over again.
If learning is the purpose of living, then growth is the reason for learning. Our minds can continue growing as we continue living. Unlike our bodies which stops growing (in most instances) after it reaches maturity. Personal growth is the doorway to advancement, and learning is the key that unlocks the door, but only you can push that door open.
I’m guessing that sounds obvious to you. Everyone wants to grow, right? Maybe in theory, but in reality, many people don’t want to do the work that growth requires. Marriages, friendships, and working relationships will all eventually go south if both parties aren’t committed to growth. Think about the people who get on your last nerve. The ones who are “close-minded,” “stuck in their ways,” or “control freaks.” Isn’t the heart of our complaint these people won’t grow?
Nothing communicates “I refuse to grow” more than a husband or wife who refuses to get outside help when confronted with an issue they are unable to solve between them. How often are we guilty of the same thing in being physically present in our relationships, yet refusing to show up mentally or emotionally.
Do you really want to grow? Ask yourself these questions:
1) When is the last time you listened to a spouse or a friend correct you, and then went and did something about it?
2) Are you intentional about meeting personal goals or do you simply drift day-to-day?
3) If you asked a family member or a close friend what they’ve seen in you the past few months what would they say?
