Have you ever sat alone in a room where it’s almost as if you can hear your own thoughts? Most people would refer to a moment like this as a moment of boredom, but I look at this as an opportunity for growth, and self-development. Sometimes we need to sit back and enjoy the silence, and take time to re-evaluate ourselves. Ask yourself this question, how often are you completely honest with yourself about the type of person that you are? I can’t speak for the rest of the world, but I can openly admit that I am not perfect; I have flaws, and many imperfections. Accepting this is the first step to growth.
The biggest issue I have personally stumbled upon which for a long time prevented me from moving from one point in my life to another was pride. Even today there are moments where I am still unable to fully push it aside in order to make a bad situation better. I also notice this with a lot of people in my life. I have encountered people and situations where specific individuals know that their action(s) was the catalyst of negative outcome, but they absolutely refused to apologize for whatever it is that was said or done. You can’t expect for others to come forth and apologize for their wrongs while you refuse to take responsibility for your actions. Being stubborn will simply lead to a life of bitterness and anger. If you want to always be right, that means everyone else around you will always have to be wrong. The world isn’t here to please just one person.
Personal growth should always come first before developing outside relationships. How can any type of relationship be successful if you are unable to compromise? It is far too common for people to believe that they are never wrong, or that their way of doing things is the only way. For example, if a mother of two adopts a third child it is now her responsibility to raise and care for this child as if it was her own. Treating the child differently from her other two children would be wrong. She made a commitment the moment she signed the adoption papers. This is exactly the same as a couple getting into a relationship. The moment you begin to commit yourself to someone else it is your responsibility to be the best individual that you can be for that person, and if this means letting go of sour selfish ways then so be it, right? In some cases there are people who try to balance both. Trying to stick with old habits while trying to become a better person won’t help much at all.
This does not only apply to intimate relationships, but to friendships as well. Too often there will be people who call themselves your friends that are too selfish to ever care about your happiness and well-being more than their own. Has there ever been a moment in your life where you used the words “I am happy for you”, while deep in your heart you knew that you were truly jealous of the person, and not happy for them at all? If you have, there is no need to worry, you are only human. Accepting these flaws, as I mentioned is the first step. So the next time you are sitting somewhere alone, enjoy the peace and quiet, ask yourself a few questions and answer them honestly. Make a list of things if you have to, maybe focus on the positives and the negatives. We can’t expect to make the world a better place, if we are unwilling to better ourselves.
Image Citation: We’re Growing!. (2014, January 1). graniteschools.org. Retrieved April 24, 2014, from http://schools.graniteschools.org/plymouth/2013/09/17/were-growing/
raheemlawrence 