|
|
Lisa's |
|
|
|
Emotional maturity signifies the onset of adulthood.
Chronological age does not; it represents mere physical length of
existence. And so, when evaluating
others and ourselves we must be careful not to brand labels based on calculated
figures. Regarding the subject of
maturity, don’t count on the numbers always adding up correctly.
The dictionary I referred to, randomly chosen for
convenience, defines maturity as being fully grown or developed.
If the written implication is taken at face value, I suppose one could
conclude that all of us who’ve reached the legal drinking age have gone the
evolved distance. Maturity seems to
be widely viewed as the expected and well-deserved universal gift that requires
no unwrapping on a twenty-first birthday. Important components of maturity include taking
responsibility for one’s actions, displaying genuine consideration of others,
and consistently exhibiting sincere effort to follow through on honorable
intentions. Voluntary and honest
admissions of mistakes are also key factors when determining maturity.
And, in my opinion, I believe that the ability and willingness to discuss
personal insecurities with those whom we’ve built foundations of trust
indicate unmasked vulnerability; also signified is the act of giving oneself to
another. I’ll argue the point
that maturation takes place when we are consciously aware of ourselves by
encompassing, accepting and admitting strengths, weaknesses, and beliefs.
The habitual motion of stepping up to the plate, so to speak, and
standing firmly grounded by our carefully pondered individual convictions
despite pressure from external input is the most important demonstration of true
maturity. Although words matter,
actions always speak louder and bolder than words, and beliefs are brought to
life when verbal professions are routinely practiced. Based on my personal definition, many people I’ve come
into contact with have a lot of growing up to do. I choose to call them perpetual teenagers…although several
decades may have indeed passed since they actually were.
They drive automobiles, hold jobs, and are often married with families.
In other words, accomplishing a series of ordinary events could be
mistaken for mature behavior. Outwardly
fumbling through the perceived proper motions is not quite good enough.
If their automobiles are driven recklessly, work performances obviously
shoddy, and their children have to look elsewhere for positive role models, the
absence of maturity is clearly noted while taking attendance. Children, teens, and young adults are routinely deemed
as immature by the older, not necessarily wiser, segment of the population.
Society allows a wide spectrum of disappointing deeds to fall under the
sheltering umbrella of immaturity. However,
it is unusual to hear the notion of immaturity thrown around when judging those
of us who’ve long since crossed the bridge of chronological legalization.
If the people whom we collectively classify as adults were so
“mature” as a whole, I doubt we’d need the fine-print rules and
regulations outlined and enforced in our legal system.
Common courtesy would be commonplace. Unfortunately and sadly, as numerical age increases, the
probability of being classified as immature decreases.
After all, how many times have we heard a fifty year-old described as
immature? Insensitive, dishonest,
selfish and irresponsible may be frequently scattered adjectives.
But expressed in terms of concrete immaturity, it’s doubtful. Whether or not we welcome maturity to be a permanent
part of who we are is a conscious choice each one of us is faced with.
Valuable lessons we learn as results of dealing with turning points and
obstacles we encounter on our personal journeys, rather than the number of
candles on cakes, shape individual maturity levels.
Maturity is not determined on the basis of a thirty-four year-old woman
who still has a poster of her all-time favorite band prominently displayed
against a bedroom wall. Instead,
maturity is the height of emotional growth we reach when we comfortably ask
vital questions and deliberately search within ourselves for answers. Upon maturely consulting with myself, the nostalgic
poster stays.
|
