Growth is a long and tortuous path that runs through our entire lives. During this journey, we gradually come to understand that growth is, in fact, a contest with ourselves.

When we were young, we faced the fear of the unknown world. The first time we left our parents’ embrace, a tide of unease surged within us. This was the start of our battle with our own timidity.

We wanted to bravely approach our little friends, but the fear within held us back; we wanted to answer the teacher’s question loudly, but the voice got stuck in our throat. Every little attempt was a challenge to the self that was afraid of the unfamiliar.

When we took that step and laughed and played with other children, we won this round, overcame our inner fear, and achieved a little bit of growth.

As we grow older, learning becomes an important battlefield in the contest of growth. Mountains of homework and complex and difficult knowledge all test our patience and perseverance.

When we overcome our inner sloth and refocus on the books, searching for answers among the numerous difficult problems, we are fighting against the self that wants to be lazy. In this contest, we gradually cultivate the qualities of perseverance and concentration, making knowledge the power of growth.

When we grow up, we may become angry because of an unintentional remark, sad because of a friend’s misunderstanding, or depressed because of a small setback. However, growth requires us to struggle against these negative emotions. We must try to control our anger when we are angry, look for hope when we are sad, and boost our spirits when we are depressed. Every successful control of emotions is a victory in the contest with our inner selves, making us more calm and mature.

When entering society or facing important decisions, we have to fight against our own hesitation and confusion. Should we choose a stable but possibly plain path or take risks to pursue our dreams? The voices within us rise and fall, putting us in a dilemma.

This is a self – contest of values and life directions. When we clear the fog and follow the true voice within our hearts and firmly move forward in the direction we have chosen, we have defeated the confused self within us.

In various contests, every victory over ourselves is a transformation, allowing us to move towards a better self. Whether it is overcoming small habits or facing major life choices, they are all opportunities for our growth.

In this contest, we continuously shape our characters, polish our wills, and clarify our directions, and eventually become unique individuals.