“If it were not for the nonconformist, who refuses to be satisfied with things continuing as they are and insists on trying to find new ways of making things better, the world would know very little progress indeed” (Josiah William Gitt).
Committing ourselves to continued progress is one of the best gifts we can give the people we love. Right now, none of us are everything we should be, and our loved ones suffer from our shortcomings to some extent. They will be pleased to see day-to-day evidence that we are making progress in becoming the person we are capable of becoming. But that’s not all, they’ll be happy to see evidence of commitment on our part to make everything we touch at least a little bit better if we possibly can.
However, a commitment to progress involves a certain amount of risk. This would probably make us somewhat non-conformist. As Josiah William Gitt says, little progress would have been made in the world until now if it were not for the out-of-step man who “refuses to be satisfied with continuing things as they are and insists on trying to find new ways of making things better.” If all we seek is comfort and familiarity, progress will likely not result from our efforts. “Progress always involves risk. You can’t get your foot on first by stealing second base” (Frederick B. Wilcox).
When it comes to doing something better than the status quo, there’s little else most of us can do Desire. Things don’t usually get better, at least not substantially better, unless someone really wants them to be, and so we have to lose our fear. aspiration And Passion. In a healthy sense, we need to be dissatisfied with the progress that has already been made – and Eager For the progress that still lies ahead.
Whether the need for improvement lies in our internal character or in the external things we deal with, commitment to progress is an act of both faith and hope. In defiance of those who say, “It’s no use,” we must trust what we know about the possibility of progress. Moving forward is not easy, and we are sure to encounter setbacks along the way, but faith and hope say, “What requirements to be improved, can do Improvements should be made.”
“Progress begins with the belief that what is necessary is possible” (Norman Cousins).
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com AreYouaChristian.com
