A Better Way #3
Have you ever considered the growth rings of the cross section of a tree? There, you will find seasons of significant growth and those of very little growth. Typically, the larger rings indicate rainier seasons and the narrow rings indicate dry periods.
Think about your own life. In retrospect, you may have grown the most during times that felt like a deluge. Life circumstances may have forced you to grow to keep from drowning. Or, maybe you simply put yourself in a position to receive and learn at an accelerated pace.
As M. Scott Peck articulates, “To develop a world view that is realistic, we must constantly revise and extend our understanding to include new knowledge of the larger world. We must constantly enlarge our frame of reference.” This is what happens in school and well beyond school.
When we travel, see new things or consider the merits of different points of view, we tend to grow. Almost always, it is for the better. If you envision the most wise person you know, you are probably picturing someone who has been a life long learner. This is someone whose vast experience and/or education transcends knowledge and comes across with a good deal of grace.
How have you grown? In what ways do you need to grow next?
Worth Repeating
Growth demands a temporary surrender of security.
-Gail Sheehy
