Every person has a natural built in tendency to grow Personal growth is something like physical growth. When we look at the body of a small child, we know that all the child needs is time and the proper nourishment. In time the small child's body will grow into its full development. Likewise, when we find another human being somewhere in the course of his or her personal process or progress, we have to have faith that with time and the proper nourishment that person will grow into full maturity

The proper nourishment for personal growth is a loving acceptance and encouragement by others, not rejection and impatient suggestions for improvement based on judgments. Human beings, like plants, grow in the soil of acceptance, not in the atmosphere of rejection. We have said that personal growth resembles physical growth: all the energies and tendencies are there.

If you will accept me wherever I am, all my energies and desires to grow will be released and energized. If you will reassure me that all right to be where I am now, I will have the courage to move beyond where I am. With your loving acceptance of me, I will gradually grow into the fullness of life.

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