Steps To Achieving Personal Growth

It has been my interest to develop myself. Personal Growth is one of my focus. Sometimes I am right. Sometimes also I am not so right. Facing my pitfalls is a challenge I love in learning though it hurts in some way. But that is how it goes. I would not learn without knowing what to unlearn. Anyway, here are the steps I found in achieving personal growth.

Honor Your Unhappiness and Divine Discontent

Happiness is what I so much desire. Simply put, to be not happy means something is missing. Though there is no problem at hand, something is not yet right. This is what Mary Mannin Morissey call as 'Divine Discontent' in her book Building Your Field of Dreams. It is the small voice inside of us that says we must do something or else we would not achieve fulfillment in life. This Divine Discontent is the arrow that points us to where we should go and that there is some place somewhere which has been prepared for us. Until we do not heed to the calling of this voice we would not achieve the peace and happiness that we dream of.

The Desire For Improvement

It is said that the greatest room there is in this world is the room for improvement. This is the Divine Discontent in action. Knowing what we want or what we should do is just a start. We need the desire to do it; to improve or develop something in us that is necessary for our growth. Desire is the fire that would cook our dreams. The stronger our desire, the nearer we are to achieving our dreams.

Believe In Yourself

It took years for me to heal myself and build my dreams because I failed to believe in myself. In short, I neglected my own capacity. Each of us is endowed with talents that we should use and develop. Remember, every little thing about ourselves depend on us. The bigger is our belief in our own capacity to do something, the bigger is the possibility of achieving our dreams. It is we who must believe in ourselves first before others would follow; a good way to start by example.

Search Your Place

Everyone of us has our own place in this universe otherwise we would not belong here. This is the place where we could be happy. This is the place where we could be at peace. We are not born out of circumstance; we are born for a purpose. The same way as Oprah was born to inspire people or Charisse Pempengco was born to sing to people. Search your place. If you could, try everything until you find the right place that is perfect for you.

Discipline

Discipline is important in all areas of life. An athlete could never become a master in his field if not for the discipline he applies in his own self. If you feel you are called to dance, then practice until you achieve the necessary discipline required in there. If you feel you are compelled to write, then start writing until you become one. This has been one of my struggles.

Acknowledge The People Around You

You are not doing personal growth for yourself alone, right? If so, then let your loved ones know what you are up to. Let them know so that they would not wonder why you have become so weird in the next few days; or that you increase your time being alone. If possible bring those people around you to achieving your dream, perhaps they too share your interests.
One thing, save yourself from negative people. While you are still new in your undertaking, shun away from people who has the ability of pulling you down.

Do It Outwardly

This does not mean showing off. This just means that you must be bold in what you stand for. In this way you are creating a foundation for yourself. This is doing the thing in your own way. This is making your dream visible. This is acting out your dream. As what the Bible says, "...happy are you when you do something that does not contradict your conscience."

Be Grateful

"In everything give thanks." Be grateful to everyone who help you in achieving your dream including yourself. Be grateful for your failures along the way; for it made you stronger. Whatever blessing you achieve share it, it will multiply under God's hands.

Do Not Forget Spiritual Guidance

Do not forget the spirit within, the Source of power who gives everything and grants every prayer. Even if you may already have what you dream for, continue to pray. God does not leave any person who continually pray to him in every circumstance. Everything needs God's guidance for He is the giver of all.

The steps above are what I am following now. I am not yet a master of my chosen field; yet I know one day I will be, since this is the place I believe God prepared for me.