From time immemorial, progress has been a driving force that mankind has either been subjected to, or incurred purposefully. Before I pursue these thoughts further, allow me to define progress as I feel it relates to me, as given by Webster's Dictionary:
Toward ideal completeness or perfection in respect of quality or condition; -- applied to individuals, communities, or the race; as, social, moral, religious, or political progress.
I can guarantee that the meaning of "progress" will be different for every person who composes a blog on this topic. The fact that they have the ability to communicate these thoughts with countless people is a sign of progress...but not the one I speak of.
Progress has to be determined by each and every individual person. Because it is a goal to which we ourselves strive (toward ideal completeness, as stated above), only we can know what lays ahead or behind us on our journey. For me, progress means seeking to achieve self-actualization, a goal that is impossible to reach, yet nevertheless, I strive for. For anyone who may not know, Self Actualization is the state of being in which someone has achieved all they can. So for me, progress is the act of constantly bettering myself (or trying to) in any given part of my life. That, to me, is progress on an individual level. In some people, progress can do wonderful things. However, when this same idea of progress is applied to a group of peope...just Imagine the possibilities!
So put simply: I feel that progress is a force. I believe that by seeking to improve ourselves, we seek progress. By seeking progress, we prepare for the future we will one day pass on.
