Growth and how to measure it?

A definition that I like for growth is the act or process, or a manner of growing; growing; development; gradual increase. (Growth)

I am very sure that when it comes to the meaning of this word or its understanding, we can all agree that we use the word growth to describe positive change.

How do we measure growth? and can we be in a state of positive growth or a state of negative growth?

In the world we live today it is very easy to get caught up in the idea of growth according to some standards that are not necessarily the right ones or the suitable ones for us. The kind of standards that we tend to take as life truths while in reality they were just said to us at a very young age and they got stuck to our memory.

It is also very easy to evaluate our growth in comparisons to other people’s growth (What we see externally).

As much as it is nice to be inspired by each other, we must not forget that personal growth is very individual to each one of us and measuring our growth should be made accordingly, in a very personal individual manner.

A biological definition of growth is the process of increasing in size.

In nature, increasing in size can be very negative (an example is when this form of increase happens in cancer cells) and cause us to live in a state of never-ending hunger (never enough) in order to increase in size. It is more of a state of accumulation of what we consider as growth: titles, degrees, things,…etc  to perceive ourselves like we are growing. And most probably in a while all those will not bring real happiness or satisfaction.

Increasing in size can suddenly be uncontrollable, greed is a real human trait and seeking fast positive changes is a form of anxious hunger driven by feelings of lack (like we want to fill a hole that cannot be filled).

Positive growth happens slowly, gradually, normally driven by internal decisions and honest declared intentions. The kind of decisions that re-align and re-direct.  This is the kind of growth that allows expansion and real-life satisfaction.

Positive growth also is process like, progress like. It has a tendency of building up layer over layer and step over another step result over another result.

Negative growth is when we are growing externally in different ways and forms, but we are in an internal decay state that would eventually lead to being stuck in a circle of seeking continuous external growth (greed). Negative growth has tendency to be driven by overwhelm, anxiety and fear. Positive growth is driven by purpose, joy, calmness and a sense of patience.

So, to evolve in a positive way we must focus on positive growth.

The growth that is driven by our authenticity and true heart desires.