Growth is simply an increase. It could be physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, financially or spiritually.
Growth is an intentional act in all aspects. If you want to grow, there are sacrifices to make, dos and don'ts to follow, while there is no general guideline to growth, the number one rule which is also similar is first having the mindset to grow.
For me, my growth was slow, steady and very interesting. This is probably because I never expected myself to be at this stage so quickly. Looking back, I am proud of how far off I have come. Sometimes I tend to mentally pat myself because it is necessary.
Ten years ago, I never dreamt I would be where I am now. Though not so close to my dream but still better than where I was. My dad lost his job about 10 years ago and that was when I realised what life was.
I got to be responsible for a lot of things at quite an early age. To worsen it, I was the first child. Growth came naturally to me. I knew I had a lot to achieve, hence I worked towards them even though I had doubts about achieving my dreams.
At this stage, I was almost done with high school. A whole lot of what I was used to while growing up either went off or reduced. Going to college was even under a probability because daddy made a bad investment that took all his money. I knew I had to do something if I wanted to grow.
I gained admission to college but had to turn it down because of finance. After the heartbreak, I applied for a job, where I worked as a receptionist in a medical laboratory. I saved up, wrote my exams and gained admission again after that.
This time I knew I couldn't turn it down. Daddy knew too. We both worked harder and I was able to go to school. The first year was hard, but I pulled through. In between classes and everything I was facing, I had to work. For me, my first stage of growth was finishing college and that's why I worked hard towards it.
Sometimes I had to stay hungry because I needed to get books, walk home because I needed the money for food, or stay home because I couldn't go to school that day. All these experiences sharpened my growth instincts. They made me mentally stable, emotionally strong and financially prudent.
I was finally able to graduate. My first personal growth. I couldn't believe I didn't drop out because of all the stages I had to pass through to grow, my first stage was tougher.
Then I got a job almost immediately after I graduated. This was the second stage of my growth. My finances became reasonable. I was able to send money home, get some personal stuff, and still save up a little. I had to always make decisions between getting what was needed and what was wanted. I got to know the difference.
Even though I was earning a living, I couldn't misuse my finance. Scales of preference came in, top priorities were settled and the rest items on the list were either postponed or scrapped.
It's been ten years now. I live with my best friend in a mini flat we got together. I work and earn a reasonable amount. If I need something I can get it even if it might take a while. I still send money home and I still save a little. I am growth personified.
One thing I know is that I will never have been able to attain my growth without God, my parents and the friends I had around me. They kept pushing me to my goals and reminding me of reasons why I should never give up.
As a person, I have grown mentally because everything had to make me think deeper about my future. I grew physically because I'm not so little anymore. Emotionally, I got stronger, I don't tear up at every little thing as compared to before and I stand up for what I believe. Socially, my friendship got stronger. And financially, I still try.
One major step that never faltered was determination. I knew what I wanted and I had to work towards it. I burnt the candles to read at night, I worked to get money and I let go of some things not because I didn't want them but because they weren't my priority at that time.
Another major step was intentionally making my friends. I had to have friends that would pull me up when I was down, make me laugh when I felt like crying, and talk me out of every bad decision and thought because trust me, bad thoughts were never far off. Most importantly, I could lean on them.
Having a place of worship no matter where it is also helps. It could be the church, the mosque or wherever you feel you could worship. It was the church for me. Each time I went with a heavy heart, I come back feeling refreshed. With a new spirit. I knew I was not alone, I have never been alone. God was and is always with me.
Deciding to grow isn't the problem. Being consistent about it is actually what matters most. Because there is always a reason to want to aim at a goal, and there are more reasons to want to deviate from achieving said goal.
My growth is indeed personal.😊 I hope we get to learn a thing or two.
Thank you for reading!