"All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work." - Calvin Coolidge

What is an Act of Growth?

Growth is one of the crucial aspects of life, the counterbalancing actions of growth promote the development of human potential. People are encouraged to imagine, to dream and to act in ways that promote goal attainment rather than failure. Personal achievements do not have to be great or earth shaking, but they should be freely chosen by the individual and reflect some unique, personal aspect. Acts of growth can mean supporting growth in others, as well as developing our own gifts or talents.

Acts of growth can abound in situations where we bravely accept circumstances that are beyond our control and attempt to make the best of them. Illness, disability, death, unemployment and other losses experienced throughout life can produce despair or become times of great personal growth. At each of these times, we have a decision to make.

Examples of acts of growth can include taking realistic, personal risks by deciding to return to school to finish a degree or get a diploma, taking an exercise or parenting class, participating in a drama club or choir, or learning to paint, swim, roller skate or make pottery. Some people might describe it as “living your dream”. Acts of growth might also include self-improvement or self discovery challenges such as, admitting an addiction and joining a recovery program, taking a public speaking course, choosing to make restitution for a mistake or error that caused harm, assuming responsibility for behavior, admitting the truth under unpleasant circumstances, serving on a jury, being an officer in an organization or joining a support group to solve personal problems.

Everyone benefits when people develop their unique potentials. Anything that enables this, without causing harm, is an opposite act of growth.