Growth is one of the characteristics of every living thing. Growth, in no small measure distinguishes animals from plants. While the growth of plants has been scientifically proven to be unlimited but that of animals is limited. However, we should not get it twisted from here because the growth science lays claim to here is actually the physical growth. There is no doubt that as far as the mental, intellectual, spiritual, social emotional growth of man is concerned, one can bet it to be unlimited with respect to the way an individual wield his or her will or volitions.
Just as plants will not grow without certain nutrients including chlorophyll,
water and sunlight, so also for holistic growth to be a possibility in humans, certain things are vital. In fact, these things are prerequisites or indispensable as far as growth is concerned. Once any of these prerequisites is missing, there will be growth but not to full-grown or not reaching maturity.
Lack of Virtues
Aristotle believed that the key to happiness is the practice of virtues. There is no doubt that it is only a happy person that will really grow. This simply means that practice of virtues is directly proportional to happiness and growth. Imbibing virtues such gentleness, humility, courage, confidence, discipline, sincerity, integrity, simplicity, honesty, etc. are essential for growth.
No holistic Education
It is pathetic that many persons in our society now find it difficult to read or some do not even read at all. Their beliefs about education has been narrowed to a formal way of learning where the “teacher gives and students take”. As if it is the sole responsibility of the teacher to keep giving. It is not untrue that a teacher affects eternity but his or her influence must be transformed to the student’s ability to educate his or herself too. So education is complete when self-enlightenment is combined with formal education. Simply put, many will not grow because they have not enlightened their minds. Francis Bacon puts it better “Widen your horizon through reading. Reading makes a full man”. Religious education must not to be overlooked here too. Many remain religiously or spiritually immature because they have failed to learn about the God of their religion and the religious teaching itself.
Failure to acquire Life skills
Ray Kurzweil, the writer of the book “The singularity is near” shared his ability to build his own computational devices at age 12. Today Ray, discusses the advancements of his technological skills. He has grown all the way. Life skills in this century cannot be overemphasized. Not to acquire certain skills is to remain adamant in a century like this. Computer literary, cooking, communication skill, interpersonal skills, leadership skills are very essential for the proper growth of an individual.
No real socialization and True Friendship Network
Creating or seeking friendship that last matters even though one is full aware that betrayal is inevitable along the way. What do we see? Many individuals are afraid of being betrayed so they either not have friends at all or have few friends with a very low degree of closeness. Perhaps some do but trust issues will not make them really socialize. According to Savonarola, friendship is among the better gifts that we can possess in this world. It is a gift that is necessary for growth because no man is an Island.
Loving Incorrectly
There are many wrong ways of loving in our societies today. And there is no gainsaying that this ways cannot qualify for genuine or real love. It is not the “I love you” that parade shamelessly and has almost become a memory verse in the society. According to C. P Varkey, love takes initiatives to act in order to nurture the all-round growth of others as persons. This is the correct way of loving. Anyone who takes such initiative will find true love too even if not for the most part. As such the loved ones will ensure the total growth of the beloved.
Practicing False religion
Religion is almost inseparable from humanity. Humans are always devoted at least to a supreme being whether we like it or not. But attitude of worship or devotion to the beings at the center of various religions differ as many religions we have. But what we have is insincerity to the core values of all these religion which is love and peace. No doubt false practices of religion debar all-round growth.
GROWING WELL OR RETARDATION
There is no gainsaying that the reasons highlighted above must not be jettisoned if anyone desired to be full grown. If any is lacking, such individual will definitely not be mature or will have a retarded growth as we easily observe in plants with one deficiency or the other. Growth just like change is inevitable but there are two things involved; it is either you grow well or you retard.
