Aging vs maturity
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, growth is a gradual process and is denoted by increase, expansion, and evolution. Growth is not an immediate process but a progressive one. This then implies that aging is a process of growth. However, of the 3 features that define growth, the automated feature of age is an increase, mainly in physical features. As the years go by, we increase in age, a process known as aging. A major question is if this increase is associated with a corresponding evolution and renewal of mindset or maturity? Aging with a corresponding increase in wisdom, mind evolution and renewal is growth/maturity. Without these features you tend to age and not grow.
In today’s society, the statement “I am growing” is used daily and everywhere. The intent of the statement mostly is to inform others that they are aging as opposed to growing. Usually, most people making this statement are doing so as a result of a specific feat they are expecting to attain by a particular age. It could be that they are of age and ready for marriage, ready for childbearing, expecting certain financial freedom, and so on. Honestly, having these expectations is not bad in itself except for the fact that they expect them to occur because they are of age and not because they have worked it. You know, life doesn’t give you what you deserve but rather what you have worked for.
These days, you meet people who are aging as opposed to growing/maturing. It sometimes becomes difficult to address them as adults since they lack a major trait for their age; maturity. The most common example relatable to most of us is that of marriage and relationships. Most of the people wishing to be married are old and not matured. They want to marry because they are of age but lack very basic skills to make a relationship work. Skills like communication, problem-solving, sacrifice, and tolerance are lacking yet they dream of long-term commitments. Some don’t even know how to make and run a home. The fact that you are old enough and probably financially ready does not mean you are ready for marriage. Most marriages end in catastrophe and divorce because people mistake aging for maturity. It takes a lot of maturity to handle long-term commitments.
Maturity is not only relevant in relationship and marriages but also applies to other areas of life such as career, business, and many others. Just because you are older than everyone in your office does not qualify you to be the boss or head of a department. Running an organization requires more than age. It takes a lot of maturity to manage human resources seeing that you have to deal with all caliber of people (different cultures, personalities, upbringing, temperaments). Sometimes, people think leadership is all about giving commands and overseeing others when it is actually about service. Traits like teamwork, and conflict resolution are essential. These attributes do not associate with aging but maturity. Our society is experiencing a lot of negativity as a result of this sense of entitlement and lack of maturity.
The above examples are just to reiterate that age is not a determinant of maturity but rather deeds. Maturity begins when you know who you are, what you are, and where you are going. It helps you associate with the right kind of people and things and makes you want to be kind, generous, and considerate towards others. Maturity makes you want to be self-reliant and a person of value. Above all, your self-love and self-worth grow so much that you withdraw from people and things that threatens your peace.
Maturity exposes you to the fact that being at peace with people is you choosing to reconcile over being right when there is a situation; putting your points across without being offensive, loud, and dramatic. It’s rather unfortunate that most people today mistake loudness for self-confidence and so will be all over the place just to prove it. These are just but a few of the attributes associated with maturity.
In the olden days, aging was associated with maturity. This was because as you age you go through various stages and gain experiences. These stages and experiences mold you to become a person of value. However, in our current generation, most people go through phases and encounter situations intended for their growth and maturity but still act clueless and ignorant. They allow the past situations to regulate their present instead of taking the valuable lessons and letting them go. LET YOUR PAST EQUIP YOUR PRESENT AND NOT CONTROL IT. Situations can only become experiences if we truly identify the reasons for and the lessons in such encounters and situations.
The good news for us in this generation is that we don’t have to age to mature. The 21st century has a lot of young matured minds as opposed to the olden days where you have to be aging and gaining experiences for maturity. Kids and teenagers are exhibiting maturity traits associated with adulthood. Some go as far as starting businesses and succeeding in it, creating inventions, and changing the status quo. This is contrary to earlier observations where people in their 40s and 50s accomplish these things. This is because this generation has taken advantage of the vast array of knowledge and experiences from the older generation.
In as much as experiences help us mature, I am of the school of thought that the experiences do not have to be mine necessarily for me to benefit from them. Interestingly, this is what some of our young minds are taking advantage of.
Knowledge and seed for maturity is still possible by learning from other people’s experiences. Always remember that the issue, circumstance, or idea that enthuse you may have already been encountered by someone. The wise thing to do then is to take advantage of such opportunities to empower yourself to become better and matured. Skip the stress of having to go through it yourself or make mistakes that may drag your life and growth. Keep in mind that the experience does not necessarily have to be yours for you to learn. As we seek to progress and succeed this year, have a maturity mindset rather than an aging one.
Feel free to leave your thoughts, comments, and feedback regarding this post. Also, feel free to suggest topics that have helped you or can help you in your growth journey. #Letsgrowtogether #JoG #stepseveryday #maturity #imotivate #motivation #growth #growthjourney #selfdevelopment
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something which too few folks are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I came across this in my search for something regarding this.
Thank you for reading and commenting.