Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a vast expanse of green, broken only by shimmering steel tracks. I was lucky enough to grow up on a small farm beside these tracks. The rhythmic clatter of the approaching train, with each car telling its own silent story, was a soothing daily ritual. And as it neared a large granary, which stood like a sentinel across our field, the haunting sound of its brakes would echo, signaling an impending halt that had begun miles before.
Why, you ask?
A train, much like our lives, carries with it immense momentum. Halted abruptly, it could wreak havoc. And so, it takes miles of gradual slowing before it can stop safely.
Similarly, in life, our personal growth trajectory carries its own momentum. Once we're in the groove, charging ahead with plans and ambitions, it requires a significant force to halt our progress. Yet, it's crucial to remember: as the train starts its deceleration long before the granary, even tiny distractions in our path can stealthily slow our growth. If we're not careful, they might even stop us. And reigniting that momentum? It's no less than a formidable effort.
The wise Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. encapsulated this when he said, "If you can't fly, then run. If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl. Whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward." Growth isn't just about velocity; it's about unyielding persistence.
Regrettably, there was a time when my growth engine sputtered and died. I hid it behind reasons and externalized blame. Yet, in the harsh light of introspection, the truth was clear – I had chosen to stop. Thankfully, life has a way of sending help, and mine came in the form of a mentor who reignited my passion for growth. While I started alone, it was with the strength of supportive souls that I found my rhythm again.
Your journey, too, can begin with just one determined step. Crawl if you must, but never let stagnancy be an option. Surround yourself with champions of your growth -- leaders who inspire and remember: The day we recline on the laurels of our past achievements, we lose that very momentum that propelled us to glory.
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