Personal Growth and Laughter

           This is a short and simple article with a short and simple point: The most powerful enemy of personal growth is black and white thinking. One must be open to the possibility that what they believe to be true might not be true at all.

           Our lives are spent swimming within the grays. There are blacks and whites, but not nearly as many as a lot of us might believe, or find comfort in believing. There is no humor in black and white thinking. Humor lives within the grays.

           I am stating without reservation that in order to grow as individuals, we must move around these black and white perspectives, these us and them perspectives, these unyielding absolutes, and open our hearts and minds the universe of grays and the possibilities that they offer.

           How does one move toward self-actualization, and personal growth? Don’t confuse serious with morose. Life is a serious matter, but it doesn’t have to be a dark and foreboding experience. My suggestion is that you open your hearts and minds to the humor in this infinite sphere of question marks and possibilities that surrounds us.
           Be open to possibilities.
           When the data changes, so should your beliefs.
           Laugh and smile more often.
           Open yourself to others. It will not hurt.
           Be compassionate when you begin to see the fear in the reticence of others.
           Develop the ability to forgive; not just others, but yourself as well.
           Understand that life is a journey without a destination. It is a process.
           Laugh and smile more often.
           Merge empathy, sympathy, and compassion.
           Give without the need for praise.
           Receive with the giver’s pleasure in mind.
           Be kind when you don’t have to be kind.
           Build on whatever curiosity you might have.
           Learn
           Laugh
           Love

          If you believe I'm wrong, please enlighten me.