I've been thinking a great deal about personal growth lately. What does it take to truly evolve, and be a better person? To really embrace a new belief or outlook or way of living?

For many people it is about maturing. But I think that how we define maturity matters. Is it behaving better? Is it greater self-awareness or self-discipline? Is it overcoming something that really isn't working for you, while maintaining respect for others and the ability to provide for oneself and any dependents?

Does aligning more to a set of rules, of your society or social strata, mean you're growing?

Or does it simply mean that you've hidden under the comfy covers of a no-thought-required dogma?

Is that growing?

UPDATE This quote was delivered to my inbox yesterday by the Positive Press... eerie! ;) And I'm not entirely sure I agree!

Maturity is achieved when a person postpones immediate pleasures for
long-term values.

-- Joshua L. Liebman