Quotes about Personal Growth

There is much evidence on several levels that there are at least two major tasks to human life. The first task is to build a strong "container" or identity; the second is to find the contents that the container was meant to hold. The first task we take for granted as the very purpose of life, which does not mean we do it well. The second task, I am told, is more encountered than sought; few arrive at it with much preplanning, purpose, or passion.

We are a "first-half-of-life culture," largely concerned about surviving successfully. Probably most cultures and individuals across history have been situated in the first half of their own development up to now

The second insight about steps and stages is that from your own level of development, you can only stretch yourself to comprehend people just a bit beyond yourself.

One of the few generalizations we can make in the field of universal spirituality is this: No one else is your problem.

David has this theory that between your mom and dad and him and you there's, like, one complete person. Your father never thinks about anybody but himself, and your mom is always thinking about other people and never herself. David thinks only about the present and you only think about the past and the future.

maybe people did wear chains of their own forging, but often those chains were half complete before they'd added their own first heavy link. Maybe completing other people's work was the business of life.

We stand before a hundred doors, choose to enter one, where we're faced with a hundred more and then choose again. We choose not just what we'll do, but who we'll be. Perhaps the sound of all those doors swinging shut behind us each time we select this one

When trying to write your way to a happier life, expressing gratitude is just the tip of the iceberg.

The artist and the politician stand at opposite poles. The artist enhances life by his prolonged concentration upon it, while the politician emphasizes the impersonal aspect of life by his attempts to fit men into groups.

Self-aware learners create exceptional performances.

How am I ever going to know all the stuff I need to know? I mean, I need to learn everything. " "Tonight?" Etienne kept a perfectly straight face. "I'm not sure I'm up to it.

I love the past so much because I love the present. I know I have to go into the world and become shaped, altered, bent, myself-individuated-and that there will be pain and joy in the process. I am not the land itself, neither am I a clone of my family. But the magnitude of my attachment to these things-and the stability it affords-staggers me.

Freedom means creating holy habits, surrounding ourselves with folks who make us better, and learning to control our desires. We are not as strong as we think we are—so that requires community and communion with God and each other.

No,' Nico said. 'Getting a second life is one thing. Making it a better life, that's the trick.' As soon as he said it, Nico realized he could've been talking about himself. He decided not to bring that up.

Have you completely made up for all the bad things you've done? No. But you keep adding to the good things column. That's all any of us can do.

I thought about all the things I was suddenly able to do—like fight with a sword and summon a magical shell of armor. Those were not things I covered in home school.

I glanced back. Annabeth was trying not to meet my eyes. Her face was pale. I flashed back to two years ago, when I'd thought she was going to take the pledge to Artemis and become a Hunter. I'd been on the edge of a panic attack, thinking that I'd lose her. Now she looked pretty much the same way.

Your journey has shaped you, made you both kind and great.

The search for the purpose of life has puzzled people for thousands of years. That's because we typically begin at the wrong starting point—ourselves. We ask self-centered questions like What do I want to be? What should I do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, my dreams for my future? But focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life's purpose.

Remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be.

God has not called you to be the best in the world at anything! He has called you to be the best you can be, given your background, experiences, opportunities, and abilities.

Remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be.

That is why the key to long-lasting success is to develop habits — new, positive habits that replace our self-defeating behaviors.

A boy grows and marries and leaves. He belongs to another woman, but a girl always belongs to her mother.