Human life will never be understood unless its highest aspirations are taken into account. Growth, self-actualization, the striving toward health, the quest for identity and autonomy, the yearning for excellence (and other ways of phrasing the striving “upward”) must by now be accepted beyond question as a widespread and perhaps universal human tendency.
And yet there are also other regressive, fearful, self-diminishing tendencies as well, and it is very easy to forget them in our intoxication with “personal growth,”…. We must appreciate that many people choose the worse rather than the better, that growth is often a painful process and may for this reason be shunned, that we are afraid of our own best possibilities in addition to loving them, and that we are all of us profoundly ambivalent about truth, beauty, virtue, loving them and fearing them too.
~ Abraham Maslow ~
Motivation and Personality (pp.12-13)
On every person’s journey, there is a long road to be traveled. We make life choices that hinge on two aspects, namely: our safety; and our progress or personal growth. As we wander through our life, we must face many obstacles to achieve a life of meaning, fulfillment, and success. Some of these challenges include:
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Choosing growth (and facing pain and fear) over safety.
- Allowing faith in our own destiny.
- Choosing to maximize our potential despite fear and uncertainty.
- Making risky choices outside of our comfort circle.
- Learning from failure.
- Take responsibility for self and let go of blaming others.
- Letting go of righteousness.
Above all else we come to understand that no magical forces will change us. In the end it is our persistence, determination and practice that creates the change our soul seeks.
For any person who has chosen to face their own inner beliefs, fears, and limitations, I acknowledge the courage you have to within you to walk your own path! Belief, patience, and faith will continue to guide you.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
To awaken higher consciousness, we must continually choose growth over safety. I like to remind myself that at any given moment, no matter what our choices have been before, we can choose to take a different path. Another enlightening post, as always.
Hi Adrienne,
I was reading Kelly Rae Roberts book “Taking Flight: Inspiration and Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit Wings” yesterday, and she beautifully describes the process, fears, and joys of uncovering our higher consciousness self. It takes tremendous courage to listen to the gentle nudges within, unearth the creative desires within, and follow the urges to step beyond our comfort zones.
Cheers to those brave souls who are willing to risk safety for the adventure of a lifetime!
Nice Article, Dr. Annette.
Readers:
Do you want to Understand better what Motivates you or someone you love?
Maslow can help. See his list of 18 subtle Self-Actualization Motivations including Beauty, Completion, Necessity, Justice, Playfulness and more.
Read my Maslow article to ponder and learn what 2 or 3 of those 18 Motivate you, even get you excited.
Hi Bruce…
Love the fact that you came to visit our site. You are always welcome here. Be aware that there is a fine line between offering our readers informative comments and self-marketing.