DEVELOPMENT DIMENSIONS OF PERSONNAL FUNCTION

• The world is made up of two kinds of people – the few who grow, and the many who don’t. Those who grow are called Cultural Creative-- or self-actualizers, or Translucent, or enlightened beings. Those who don’t are called Droids, or Zombies, or Stepford Wives, or Couch Potatoes, or flatlanders, or meatheads (at least by the Creative). The Cultural Creative seeks various forms of growth -- enlightenment, enlivenment, maturity, individuality, fulfillment, out-of-the-box thinking, the cutting edge, or realizing their human potential. The Droids generally seek stasis – in the form of comfort, security, stability, conformity, herd mentality, status quo, and fitting into the most convenient niche. The Creatives often see life as a journey or a quest. The Droids rarely contemplate life at all
  Cultural Creatives are often involved in radical politics (at both ends of the spectrum), environmental issues, the human potential movement, Eastern religions, the arts. They need not be in the vanguard. They need not be of a particular political or religious persuasion. But they are all involved in, committed to, and passionate about personal growth, radical self-expression, spiritual evolution, transformation of consciousness, and other forms of improvement and enlightenment.
  Why is growth important? What difference does it make? Why make the effort? – Especially since it seems so much easier to just stay the same. Growth offers several significant benefits:
  { Aliveness. If we are growing, we feel more vital, more engaged, more aware, more present, more exhilarated by each moment,. Life is more fun and more interesting.
  { Health. If we are more alive, our bodies feel better. If we are more energetic, and more flowing, it’s likely we’ll be healthier and live longer.
  { Significance. If we are growing, we are more likely to be on the cutting edge of change. As a catalyst to those around us, we are more likely to impact and influence the course of society – to be a greater force for good.
  { True to nature. As we look around us, all living things are growing and changing. Trees spread their branches, caterpillars metamorphose into butterflies, and birds mate and bear young. If we embrace growth, we are more true to our own nature as living beings.
  { Fulfillment. As Creatives, we yearn to drink deeply of all life has to offer. Growth allows us to fill that inner longing, to satisfy that desire to move beyond the confines of the ordinary.
  { Inevitability. If we are at heart Creatives, we can’t remain static even if we want to. We may crave stability, but it slips from your grasp. If our life will be in flux anyway, why not let go? Why not jump into the tumbling, frothing current, and enjoy swirling flow?
  In human potential circles, there is much talk about growth. There are many generalizations about personal development, self-actualization, achieving one’s potential, and connecting with one’s true self. But almost no one asks what growth actually consists of. What does it really mean to grow? What are the components of personal evolution? Who within us actually does the growing? How do I know whether I am growing, and in what directions? What’s the difference between evolutionary growth, and just solving problems? How can we distinguish between true growth and mere posturing and self-aggrandizement? How can I consciously initiate and orchestrate my own growth? This article endeavors to find meaningful and relevant answers to such questions.