When Growth Becomes Difficult

We assume that growth is always good. And it often is, but unbalanced growth can be problematic — in order for growth to be sustainable, it needs to be balanced

If you build a muscle disproportionate to others, it will inevitably lead to atrophy or injury elsewhere. Growing a healthy body has many integrated parts: muscles, tendons, bones, and even a proportionate amount of body fat. These require exercise, a balanced diet, and plenty of sleep and rest. Each element is essential and only healthy in roughly balanced proportion. If any one part becomes heavily over-emphasized, that growth can cause unhealth in the other parts and the whole. All must come together in balance for true thriving.

The same is true for the rest of our lives.

We all have areas of our life on which we have disproportionately placed emphasis. Oftentimes these are good things, which can make it hard to see the shadows they cast in other areas of our lives.

A person for example who has focused heavily on growing their capacity for independence, is likely to struggle with a healthy degree of dependence on others which would lead to deeper flourishing. A person who places their attention fully on serving others may struggle to serve their own needs in a way that would allow them to serve from a place of health and contentment. A person who values high ideals and creative expression may struggle to firm up more practical matters and establish necessary support structures.

The key is to find a balance. The middle way is not only the most sustainable; in many cases, it is the only way we'll come to the sense of fullness we desire.

This week. Take some time to reflect on the areas of your life that you've optimized for a long period of time. What have you sub-optimized as a result? What actions might you be able to take to bring things back to a place of balance, so you can step into a deeper sense of personal flourishing?