Hello Hivers
Howdy!
In my blog today I'll be responding to the topic for the Weekly Featured Contents;
Week 05:- Edition 01:-
Individual Growth 馃搱
Ever wondered why we are not where we used to be? I'm sure you already know why!
That is because "CHANGE IS CONSTANT"
Looking back 5-10 years ago, when I was in my mid teens I can't help but be grateful for the all round personal growth I've experienced physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually and mentally. Enjoy reading through as I walk you through my personal growth journey.
PHYSICAL & MENTAL GROWTH
Talking about my body growth, I've had the same kind of face right from when I was a kid till now as an adult. I was actually comparing the pictures the last time I travelled home and I saw no difference on my face at all.
You wanna see? Check it out below!馃槄
My baby picture frame
But coming to other aspects of my body growth, I have grown into a beautiful, curvy and plumpy lady that everyone loves.
A picture of my humble self now
During my mid teens, I had some difficulty in reading and this made me an object of caricature among my peers. I also had some difficulty with speaking a correct English too. Not that I wasn't sent to the best school by my parents but it could be that I wasn't just prepared to grab things at that point. But when I remember how good I am now with was a big problem for me then, I smile.
Check if you can recognize me in the picture above馃お
I was a boarding student during my secondary school period, the memory of stammering to read a novel to the hearing of my classmates and my teacher correcting me many times with a whip on my back still lingers. Well, I felt like a dummy at that time but thanks to growth cus I started getting good with my reading and speaking skills even before I knew it. There were lots of personal studies that I did on my own as that then, I kept friends that encouraged me instead of the ones that laughed at me when I'm wrong and all this contributed to my mental growth. I was surprised at how I improved even to the point of me becoming a mentor to some of my junior friends. The height of it all was when I was made a prefect in school in Senior Secondary 2, you know what that entails?
I addressed the whole students with the principal and teachers seated to listen to what I had to say during assembly. hahaha! I just got better when my mind was ready I guess. Who could have believed that the dummy me then, could have gotten to the point of being a home teacher and a blogger now?
I'm grateful for change!
EMOTIONAL GROWTH
I was very emotional too in my mid teens, I cried at every little thing that didn't matter. You can tell me I have a big head and I will just weep. hehehe! I always cried with mucus gushing out from my nose at every little thing. But I just had to advise myself not to take things to heart, in a world where I'm not living my life to please anyone I just have to "KWECHIRI" (Have a strong mind). And trust me, this area of my personal growth has been beneficial to me because recently I get bodyshaming comments a lot from people, saying you're fat, you have a big head this and that and I just smile and say Thank you, I love myself like that. Imagine what would have happened if I never outgrew that emotional part of me, I would have still been a cry cry baby now na!
I'm glad I outgrew that part of me.
SOCIAL GROWTH
I never socialized with my peers in my teens and I guess that was why I was not so bright and smart then. During holidays, my parents never allowed me to play with fellow teens probably because for them, they thought they were doing the right thing for me so I would be serious with my studies but it did more harm than good to my social life. It affected my reasoning whenever I get the opportunity to flow with my friends. I was not outspoken and active and this deprived me of so many things. Looking back to how my social life was far back, I can only thank God for change. I have worked on my social life because recently I have seen myself flow easily with anyone that comes around me without being shy or timid. I'm glad my social life is not what it used to be in my teens.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
During my teen times I never took the things of God that serious. I remember how I sang my own lyrics of the church hymns without minding the message it passed. But now when I sing those hymns I feel God speak to me. I remember claiming that I've seen Jesus before due to the wall pictures in our living room then but now I have grown to know that he's an immortal and invisible being and I've become intentional in loving and truly worshipping him. The only prayer that I was conversant with then was the food prayer "GOD BLESS THIS FOOD IN JESUS NAME" Amen! And immediately I'll start eating. I have outgrown all that because that was my own level of spirituality then as a child. I am grateful for my spiritual growth and I hope to get more closer to God with time.
I'm grateful for the changes so far!
Grateful I'm not where I used to be!
All images are mine