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Define Maturity
Nise's Notes
by Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
June 30, 2004
A friend once very seriously asked me to define maturity, and she stumped me for a long time. I spent a few days chewing on the question, wanting to give the best possible answer that I could.
I finally came back and told her that it was impossible to define, because it is such a relative thing. What is mature or immature hinges greatly on the situation one finds themselves. Sometimes the mature thing to do is to let your hair down and be a child. Other times the mature thing to do is sit back quietly and just listen.
Maturity comes when you know how to assess the situation, and you find the respect for yourself and those around you to react accordingly.
That is not to say that even the most mature people don’t have their immature moments. That’s just human nature.
However, I know 60-year-old men with the average maturity level of a 10 year old. In the same respect I know 6-year-olds with the maturity level of a 90 year old.
It is not how long you’ve been alive that determines your age. No, it is what you do with the things the world teaches you everyday that decides it.
This weekend is 4th of July, a day we celebrate America’s Independence. It is something that was fought for by young men over 200 years ago. As we celebrate the fruits of those men’s sacrifices, overseas thousands of men and woman still fight – for the freedom of others, and to ensure our own continued freedom.
Imagine the lessons those who have served have learned. Imagine the lessons yet to come to those who are in line to ship out in the future. Imagine the lessons of their families and friends as they wait for that possible phone call that their loved one may not come home.
What kind of maturity level does that require? Especially considering how many that serve aren’t even old enough to buy alcohol in this country. Those men and women have grown up fast. They have seen and experienced things that many could never even imagine in their wildest dreams.
Similarly, what about the young sons and daughters who find out their Daddy or Mommy won’t be coming home. They, too, are forced to face a grief and hardship so many don’t have to worry about until their 40s or 50s.
Yet despite all of this, many will continue to greet others with a smile. They look life directly in the face and take everything thrown at them in stride. They aren’t afraid to laugh when something tickles them. They aren’t afraid of being “childish” when they choose to leap with both feet into a muddle puddle. (Try it sometime again if you haven’t done it in awhile. It’s fantastic!)
No, those who are truly mature know how to take life with a lilt of laughter and serious gleam in their eye. They are truly wise. They are the epitome of mature.
Nise's Notes
by Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
June 30, 2004
A friend once very seriously asked me to define maturity, and she stumped me for a long time. I spent a few days chewing on the question, wanting to give the best possible answer that I could.
I finally came back and told her that it was impossible to define, because it is such a relative thing. What is mature or immature hinges greatly on the situation one finds themselves. Sometimes the mature thing to do is to let your hair down and be a child. Other times the mature thing to do is sit back quietly and just listen.
Maturity comes when you know how to assess the situation, and you find the respect for yourself and those around you to react accordingly.
That is not to say that even the most mature people don’t have their immature moments. That’s just human nature.
However, I know 60-year-old men with the average maturity level of a 10 year old. In the same respect I know 6-year-olds with the maturity level of a 90 year old.
It is not how long you’ve been alive that determines your age. No, it is what you do with the things the world teaches you everyday that decides it.
This weekend is 4th of July, a day we celebrate America’s Independence. It is something that was fought for by young men over 200 years ago. As we celebrate the fruits of those men’s sacrifices, overseas thousands of men and woman still fight – for the freedom of others, and to ensure our own continued freedom.
Imagine the lessons those who have served have learned. Imagine the lessons yet to come to those who are in line to ship out in the future. Imagine the lessons of their families and friends as they wait for that possible phone call that their loved one may not come home.
What kind of maturity level does that require? Especially considering how many that serve aren’t even old enough to buy alcohol in this country. Those men and women have grown up fast. They have seen and experienced things that many could never even imagine in their wildest dreams.
Similarly, what about the young sons and daughters who find out their Daddy or Mommy won’t be coming home. They, too, are forced to face a grief and hardship so many don’t have to worry about until their 40s or 50s.
Yet despite all of this, many will continue to greet others with a smile. They look life directly in the face and take everything thrown at them in stride. They aren’t afraid to laugh when something tickles them. They aren’t afraid of being “childish” when they choose to leap with both feet into a muddle puddle. (Try it sometime again if you haven’t done it in awhile. It’s fantastic!)
No, those who are truly mature know how to take life with a lilt of laughter and serious gleam in their eye. They are truly wise. They are the epitome of mature.
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no subject
Date: 2004-06-29 04:45 pm (UTC)