Introduction: Flourishing in Our Environments

Humans need healthy environments. Both physical and emotional growth requires friendly surroundings, providing the necessary security and love. We can’t live in impoverishment and flourish. Growth in self-esteem, security, flexibility, self-discipline, and compassion all depend on proper nourishment. Whether plant or human, growth insists on nutrient rich environments and sufficient mechanisms to process the nutrients.

​Healthy organisms develop abilities to collect nutrients from their surroundings—the plant extends its roots; the person builds social networks. Sickly organisms’ abilities to self-nourish shrivels—leaves curl, roots contract and people isolate. The healthy plant extracts more nutrients from the soil; thicker foliage absorbs more energy from the sun. This sad process gathers resources for the healthy while limiting those most in need; illnesses, addictions and overwhelming emotions limit positive interactions.

We ignore these realities and blame the sick for being sick; demanding them to extend their roots that have already perished.

Human Flourishing

When all the elements align and the internal processes are functioning well, we flourish. Human flourishing is a grand achievement. It’s not a natural state but the smooth blend of luck and skill. As our basic needs are satisfied, we move to greater realms of personal development. We desire purpose. We seek Abraham Maslow’s self-actualization. In these sacred moments of existence, we momentarily flourish, pushing our roots deeper into the soil, extending our branches higher into the sky.

Ideally, we would always exist in a perpetual state of flourishing. However, I believe that these states are fleeting. We grow in spurts. The ideal conditions of spring pass, transitioning to the hot dry weather of summer, and eventually settling into the cooler nights of autumn and the brutal coldness of winter. We prune, prepare, and revive in the reawakening of spring. Human flourishing travels through the seasons, only growing when the proper conditions are present.

See Human Flourishing for more on this topic

Failure to Thrive

Failure to thrive befalls humans and plants. Lack of healthy human contact stagnates growth. A dreadful discovery found in the orphanages and hospitals of war-ravaged regions is that young children—with adequate food, shelter and water—become sick and die when deprived of modest doses of contact. Daniel Siegel, clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine explains that childhood trauma and neglect have been found “to impair the growth of the integrative fibers of the brain” (Siegel 2009). Adults may survive (physically) from harsh environments, but also suffer from rejection and loneliness. We need warm, accepting relationships.

As a child abuse detective, I investigated several cases of child neglect. Life readily provides examples both of healthy growth and stagnated human development. One particular case remains etched in my memory. A six-month old child was rushed to emergency, lethargic, and lifeless. The child had been losing weight for the last two months. I encountered, up close and personal, a child failing to thrive. The child’s growth stopped, and he began to lose weight. At six months, the youngster’s weight dipped below his original birth weight. Embarrassed and young the teenage mother waited until near death before seeking professional medical intervention.

Failure to Thrive a Universal Disease

Failure to thrive isn’t a third world disease. Many children across the world needlessly suffer varying degrees of failing to thrive. In this case, a teenage mother lost affection and disconnected with her child because of the normal fussiness of a colicky baby. The excitement of rearing a child faded with reality; caring for an infant is thankless work—especially as a single parent. The child’s transition from breastfeeding to formula created irritability. The crying wore on the young mother. She struggled with her own emotional immaturity, her insecurities while resentful of being stuck home with a needy child.

At feeding time, the warm caresses of a caring mother were replaced with a pillow to hold up the bottle. The child’s growth stopped and then reversed. However, failure to thrive is not just a disease afflicting the young. Everyone can land in a spot in life where rejection and loneliness dominate and life begins to take its toll.

Healthy Environments

The growth of an organism is a complex and intricate process that hinges on two critical factors: a conducive environment and the organism’s ability to assimilate essential nutrients from its surroundings. Without one or the other, the organism’s growth is stunted, and it fails to thrive. This interplay between the external environment and the internal capacity of the organism is fundamental to understanding the mechanisms underlying growth and development in living beings. In essence, the symbiotic relationship between the organism and its surroundings forms the cornerstone of successful growth.

See Ego Development for more on this topic

Limited Resources and Stunted Growth

​An environment of limited resources (financial and emotional), poor parenting models, and a host of other unknown complexities combined to overwhelm the neglectful mother. Neither mother nor child were having needs filled—both wanting but incapable of giving what the other needed. The young mother tearfully admitted lost interest in the baby. She began propping the bottle on a pillow and going to the other room—sometimes hours at a time. The crying was intolerable, and she lacked the skills to soothe. The doctors conducted dozens of tests seeking a cause for the weight loss and near fatal illness. No disease was discovered. The child lacked human touch. Several months of attention from caring nurses and modern medicine revived this beautiful baby boy. The young mother received resources, training and counseling. Healthy human contact was essential for the young mother, too.

Impaired childhood attachments and past abuse damage our capacity to enjoy intimacy. Intimacy frightens, reminding of past hurts, digging into the partially healed wounds. The fear activates defenses to protect. When past attachments were painful, new attachments excite fear. The anxiety inhibits closeness. The past impoverished relationships interfere with absorbing nutrients in the present. 

The past colors the present. The building blocks constructing present perceptions is our explanations used to understand the past. Present perceptions then influence future perceptions—often drifting further from reality. The expectations prompt emotion. Processing complex past experiences, littered with hurt, complicates reasonable assessments of the present. We defensively construct safety zones to protect, establishing warning markers of danger, even though safe in the present, when those markers are crossed the experience ignites emotions, sending us scurrying for protection.

See Supportive Environments and Elements Necessary for Growth for more on this topic

Adapting to Environments

The essence of learning, as highlighted in the article on human adaptability, is deeply intertwined with the intricate interplay of memories. Both explicit and implicit memories serve as the guiding force for our future endeavors. This notion underscores the fact that learning operates as an adaptive system, constantly evolving based on our experiences and the knowledge stored in our memory. Notably, our ability to adapt is not merely advantageous but indeed essential for healthy growth, enabling us to navigate and thrive in an ever-changing environment.

See Psychology of Adaptation for more on this topic

Maladaptive Behaviors and Defenses

However, not every adaptation is healthy. We often rely on maladaptive responses to the pressures of discomforting environments. We react to protect the frightening immediate threats while sabotaging futures. Accordingly, we employ defenses that shield our ego from the whole brunt of environmental pressures. Some of these defenses help us manage overwhelming forces while others disconnect us from reality. We must skillfully weed out the maladaptive responses and defenses that limit our growth, learning coping styles that propel us forward.

See Maladaptive Behaviors and Defense Mechanisms for more on this topic

Trauma and Human Growth

Processing complex past experiences, littered with hurt, complicates reasonable assessments of the present. Trauma is a key obstacle for growth. The sheer power of these events (or series of events) requires massive human adjustments just for emotional survival. The ability of the organism to survive take priority of the individuals future needs. The organism borrows against the future, drawing upon cognitive resources to crawl through the tragedy. However, these devastating moments force adaptations that change the course of a person’s life.

See Post-Traumatic Growth for more on this topic

Opportunity and Protection

We are wired differently. Some individuals courageously seek new opportunities. Others zealously protect. Some research suggests that different brain processes contribute to these differences. Brain chemistry might determine whether we are opportunity focused or protection focused. Each in excess presents its own dangers.

Whether its genetic inheritance or traumatic experiences, our threat management system scans the environment for threats and opportunities. New opportunities, even when only loosely similar to the past trauma, trigger strong emotions. Our warning-system moves into protective over-drive. If we don’t recognize the influence of the past, we may justify the over-reaction, labeling it legitimate, and denigrating the non-existent environmental threat.  New opportunities are discredited and abandoned. Limiting opportunities also stagnates human growth.

Are we doomed to these self-perpetuating cycles? It’s a painful conundrum; lack of environmental nutrients stymies growth but fear prevents creating a healthier environment. There is no simple answer. We need to stop fruitless searches.

See Behavior Activation System (BAS) for more on this topic

Self Determination and Choice

Human growth is a mindset. Or, at least, partially determined by mindset. Opportunity for growth exists, we, however, must take advantage of the opportunities. Several psychological concepts contribute to our personal responsibility to invite growth.

These include:

• Self Determination
• Hope
• Learning
• Positive attitude
• Skill
• Motivation

Complexity and Human Growth

Healthy living is complex; not solved with simple resolutions. Because of complexity, we always will face struggles.

Gary Miller wrote:

“Each day we are bombarded by a dizzying amount of exposures and influences from our environment.”

Miller goes on to explain that even though we are limited in mental capacity to process every exposure and environmental influence, we can create a framework to assist in organizing, making sense of, and utilizing the concept of exposome to improve our lives (Miller, 2020).

But there is hope. We can embrace the difficulty of our existence without discouragement. Futures can improve. Doing right in the present can transform futures. We must start small; introducing little, healthy activities into our daily routines.

We’re not alone. Others have traveled this path. We can too. The effective answers aren’t clever rhymes or magic cures. Effective answers never effortlessly circulate on social media; because they lack the attractiveness of simplicity—promising ease. The effective answers can be boring, requiring concerted efforts. Expectations of ease motivate rejecting of the difficult conscious attention required for sustained growth.

See Life is Complex for more on this topic

Building Blocks for Human Growth

​We discard healthy advice for over-simplified-psychological garbage that offers limited benefits. The less attractive but more effective answers take second-seat to viruses of thought that spread effortlessly through the self-help crowds. We must be more discriminating with the programs we choose to construct our futures.

Madeline Miles wrote that any personal development journey is “a lifelong commitment, not a sprint or achievable task.” Moreover, this journey will need to “weather bumps and roadblocks but it can also thrive in other areas of your life” (Miles, 2022). Miles description aptly describes the path of human development.

Human growth requires basic building-blocks. We need relationships, experiences and resources that nourish. Without these building-blocks, growth stalls. We must effectively process the nutrients these resources provide, skillfully integrated beneficial experiences and people into our lives.

Associated Concepts

• Self-Actualization: This refers to the process of realizing and fulfilling one’s potential, and striving to become the best version of oneself. It involves personal growth, achieving one’s aspirations, and pursuing intrinsic goals that lead to a sense of fulfillment and purpose in life.
• McClelland’s Three Needs Theory: This theory proposes that three primary needs motivate production and success in individuals. These needs are: the need for achievement, the need for affiliation, and the need for power. McClelland’s theory suggests that understanding which need is most dominant in an individual can help predict their behavior and motivation in various situations.
• Growth Motivation: This refers to the inner drive or desire to continuously develop and improve oneself, whether it be in personal, professional, or emotional aspects. Individuals with growth motivation are often focused on setting and achieving goals, expanding their knowledge and skills, and adapting to new experiences.
• Demoralization Syndrome: This profound psychological state is marked by hopelessness and a loss of meaning, significantly affecting motivation and mental health. It arises from stressors like chronic illness, trauma, and societal pressures, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
• Convoy Theory: This theory highlights the essential role of social networks in enhancing well-being throughout life. Developed by Toni Antonucci and Robert Kahn, it posits that relationships evolve dynamically, providing emotional and practical support.
• Self-Efficacy Theory: Developed by Bandura, it focuses on the belief in one’s capabilities to execute actions required to manage prospective situations, affecting the types of goals they set.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

Human growth is a progression of small changes. We can only create nourishing relationships by correctly identifying harmful thoughts and behaviors. When we welcome the work with patience and consistency, we grow. We obtain new heights. We experience new joys. and lastly, we enjoy greater intimacy. Hopeless addictions loosen their grip, the terror of rejection softens and the fear of failure retreats. The small building-blocks combine to create a pillar of strength—not because of a magic potion or a secret skill but through perseverance to take a path few have chosen.