What is growth? If you plant a bamboo tree and a oak tree at the most conducive environment you will find oak tree shows a steady growth since you plant the tree but bamboo tree shows no sign of growth. But after a couple of years you will find bamboo tree not only grows fast but is stronger than the oak tree.
Psychology of Growth:
Now let’s get deeper into the psychology behind growth.
You value things that you want to have and what you lose. The one that is with you, readily available, and requires no effort to avail does not attract you. Now this psychology is behind the entire world of commerce. You desire companionship, objects, and destinations in search of happiness, purpose, and goal, but you end up losing all of them along the way.
You love somebody, but when your lover is with you and the newness fades, you do not feel the same emotions anymore. You buy a phone with all your savings and/or loans, but you end up not feeling great about that after a couple of weeks. You long for promotion for a long time, but after a couple of months of achieving it, you do not find anything really changed. The same is true when you lose things. You lose your lover, object of desire, or desired promotion; you feel devastated, and the whole world seems to be behind that lost person or object. It may make you feel at times that you should not have desired the same thing in the first place.
Things happen when you deal with things that are hard to get. Costly, out of reach, and difficult things attract the entire human race towards them, and that is the reason for evolution, discoveries, and inventions. If you are happy with what you have, then you are not willing to evolve, grow, or elevate your stature.
Desire to avail of or attain something; achieving the same; losing interest in or excitement over what you already achieved; repeat
Growth Loop
This is the path to growth, elevation, and achievement. But this journey is painful due to the losses, the efforts, and the uncertainties around it. This pain leads to learning, innovative ways, and growing capabilities. But the moment the growth stops due to confusion, uncertainty or inconsistency in approach you go back to where you started from.
The Stonecutter’s Wish:
In an ancient village, there lived a humble stonecutter who dreamed of a better life. One day, as he toiled in the scorching sun, he saw a wealthy merchant being carried in a sedan chair by servants. Envious of the merchant’s status and comfort, the stonecutter wished he could be the merchant.
Miraculously, his wish was granted, and he became the merchant. However, he soon realized that the sun was even harsher for the merchant, and the responsibilities were burdensome.
Seeking relief, he then wished to be the sun, thinking it had the power to scorch everything. His wish was granted, and he became the sun. However, clouds blocked his rays, and he felt powerless.
Wanting to have control over the clouds, he wished to become a cloud. But when he became the cloud, he realized he could be blown away by a powerful wind.
Finally, he wished to become the wind, only to discover that even the wind couldn’t move a massive stone.
Exhausted and humbled, he wished to be a stonecutter again, content with his original life. In this final wish, he found happiness in simplicity and accepted the beauty of his own existence.
What is the alternative?
The alternative is to cherish what you have, experience the moment, start searching inward. The journey within that takes you out of the loop and you see the need reduces, mind is more focused on serving, creating harmony. What is difficult in this journey. Everything. You will be constantly distracted or attracted by the growth loop around you. But if you keep focusing then this is the path to growth, elevation and achievement. This is a growth loop as well because there is no end to this and you keep going deep inside like a whirlpool.
Why I am saying all these? Just to make myself understand that both are hard and both take you towards growth but as soon as you are distracted or lose trust on the path chosen, both take you back to the starting point. So whatever you do, whatever you choose, just stick to it and continue walking in that path every day.
Distraction is the cause of failure, not the path..
Distraction can often be the culprit behind our failures, pulling us away from the path to success. It’s tempting to veer off course, lured by shiny objects and immediate gratification. However, if we allow ourselves to be constantly diverted, we risk losing sight of our goals and ultimately falling short. Instead of succumbing to distraction, let us remain focused on the task at hand, prioritizing our objectives and staying committed to our journey. By maintaining disciplined attention and resisting the allure of distractions, we can forge ahead on the path to achievement and avoid the pitfalls of failure. Remember, success lies not in avoiding distractions, but in recognizing them as barriers and choosing to stay on the path towards our ultimate goals. Stay focused, persevere, and let your determination guide you towards success.
Choose the path that you wish to, whether internal or external but ensure you stick to it once you took the path.
Life as Sakti 
Leave a comment