Growth = Evolution + Innovation x Courage
Growth comes in different forms like natural growth, spiritual growth, economic growth, social growth and physical growth. There is the element of evolution where things grow out of a process naturally simply by developing itself out of itself. The other element of growth is the addition of something new to each realm which adds to its depth and richness. Without both the evolutionary and the addition of new influences growth is impossible and the result is it stops growing.
Evolution: Natural Growth
Evolution happens naturally, for the process of evolution is part of the equation. However,anything new brought into existence can only be done by original thought and the word for that is creativity. Those who bring something new into the world are creators who plant a seed with a new genetic code that has not existed before. They are the beginning of a new way, in essence they are known as geniuses.
In my book, Boredom to Brilliance, I talk about the necessity for artistic support in the world and that every art form cultivates the fertile ground of the human mind. Maslov’s Hierarchy of Needs claims that in order to be able to fulfill the ”higher” needs that humans have it is necessary to provide for the more basic human needs. I claim that man’s need for food and shelter forced him to find creative ways to acquire those things. In fact, it is almost as if that need is there especially for the purpose of developing the human mind and spirit. Thus when I hear people downplaying the need for the arts in our culture I take serious issue with that because without the vitality of creative endeavor society is doomed to a permanent state of backwardness.
The Skeptics Curse
There are basically two forces at work in the world. The first is the part of the world that doesn’t want anything to change and the other part that craves it. It astounds me how so many people want nothing to change. They want everything to work like it used to. They are resistant to learning about anything new because it isn’t part of what was taught to them growing up, as a matter of fact some get really angry when you present them with something that doesn’t ally with their training. A skeptic will forever live in the small world they feel safe in. A skeptic thinks they are being cautious, and you could look at it that way, but when you get right down to it, if you are skeptical that the bridge you are about to cross will hold you up, you will not cross it, even if the tiger that is breathing down your back is about to eat you alive. Many people would rather be eaten alive than risk being wrong.
Nothing Left to Be Discovered
In Napoleon Hill’s original 1925 book ”The Law of Success” he writes that at that time there were many people who thought that technology and science had gone to the limits of their possibilities, that there was nothing left to be discovered. When I read that I thought, ”Wow, that is amazing.” Even then, Hill was talking about the ”ether” and the universe and creating something out of nothing but imagination. His 25 years of work on the subject of success and wealth is a testament to the principle that only in change and in new ideas is it possible to create an ever increasing fountain of prosperity.
The valiant geniuses who dare to create a new way of doing things are the ones we will be honoring in the future and their prosperity will have been well earned. Those who participate in the new ways and celebrate the gifts of the new evolution of life on earth, regardless of area of endeavor, will reap the first fruits of the harvest.
Jobs: Made Possible By Creators
Where would society be without the great artists, thinkers, scientists, innovators and explorers who poured their lives into the search of a new beginning? The creatives make it possible for everyone to have a job and a way to make money. People will tell you to go to school and learn a trade so you can get a job. But, who do you work for? It is the dreamer who says we’re going to put a man on the moon, or build a bridge across a bay or develop a cure for something. The skills and talents needed to fulfill the dreams is what gives all of those people a job, at some level in the organization. The creator, the genius or the innovator is always going to be leading the way. That is a good thing.
Don’t Get Caught Behind
I encourage everyone to take a look at a new way of doing things, that in reality is already not new anymore, for, I myself am behind the times but I’m running all out to catch up!
Change is inevitable, improvement is not. Growth is possible through adopting the new and evolving with it.