GROWING SELF

Personal growth must begin with self. nnBlinders are put on horses to insure one view, a view which inhibits impulsive actions that are contraryto that view. The first action for self-growth is to remove any inner blinders imposed upon self openinghis mental vision to all possibilities. Now he is able to realize that he can do, can become, whatever hechooses. nnIt is true that the difference between a successful person and a failure is thinking. That comes first.Either letting others think for him, or taking control and thinking for himself. Mentally then one's mindmust be opened to the possibility that he has at least one talent and the skills for performingit. Usually there is more than one. Further the person should realize that the talent is unique to him orher. It may be the talent, or it may be his quality performance that makes it unique to him. With thatknowledge he can begin to enhance it with more knowledge, and then hone it with practice. Now thethinking assures achievement and success. nnAnd one talent can lead to another talent, and another talent, when the mind is kept open and alert. Thechoice is up to the individual.nnWhen a possibility is realized, it can be proceeded on to become an actuality. nnReplacing external control with internal self-control, with renewed confidence in self, with growingself-esteem for who self is, and can be, barriers to success can be more easily overcome. Obstaclesthat can mentally and emotionally destroy a person can be replaced with positive outlooks.Relationships with people are now positive and with the right people for growth and success. Oldrelationships can be kept, but now he can ignore the thinking of those peers who might think he is toogood for them, forget that others may look at him watching for failure or poor performance, forget alack of recognition by others especially peers for he knows who he is and where he is going, forget thethinking that he does not fit in with his old group, and if true he knows that new groups will be foundthat are supportive. When dwelled on these can become fears that destroy the freedom of choice, andthe liberty to act. But now with control of self in his own hands he can go forward with confidence.nnIt is at this point that internal fears are overcome, and he can take risks that can grow him personally,and for success. Fears do not rule him. He rules them. The fears have not left, but now they aremanaged, put aside, or changed to become successes in his own life. If an effort fails he learns from it,integrates that into future efforts, and continues on his way to success.nnWhether it be returning to college, or a technical college, he knows he can do it, and proceeds asneeded with confidence. Or he may develop his own product to sell from his shop or store, or perhapssearch though the thousands of products available to find that unique one that will sell in quantity. Andmaybe his desire is to become an engineer for example, he realizes that he can do it, and that age, norhis present situation, does not limit him.nnIt all begins with each persons thinking, with his thoughts. No one can separate mind and man, orthoughts and man. As King Solomon said, we are what we think. What one is today is the result of histhoughts yesterday. Realizing that, and that he has power over his thinking, and his thoughts, he knowsthat he can change them to gain personal growth, and success. nnAnd once in that way of thinking, and of effort, he will be surprised at how many will be supportivebeyond mere words. nnGrowth and success do begin with self, and his own thinking.