When I was in school, one refrain from my parents and teachers was “Act your age”. Sometimes, it was because I acted in a manner befitting one younger and in others one older. In the latter case, another adage used to be common “You are old beyond your age”.
What I wanted most was to mature fast to reach the magical age of 18 so that I could be formally employed and also get a driving licence. Once I reached that stage the next ambition was to reach the magical age of 21 so that I could vote. I wish that like it is now, the qualifying age for voting had been 18 too then.
These reflections are what prompted me to suggest this topic when I was reminiscing about my teenage years for a different purpose.
I distinctly remember one particular instance when a prospect that I was trying to convince to buy a policy from me told me, “You are not mature enough to understand my problem. Please get your Supervisor to come over to discuss this matter.” I promptly did that and found that the Supervisor said the same things that I had said but, the prospect accepted those arguments which he had not from me. A matter of perception and lack of confidence in a young person. At least he was being direct instead of some others who were patronising which was worse.
I grew out of all these stages eventually and I had to assume leadership roles soon enough when the impact of being mature really hit me hard. I understood then that maturity comes with experience and not age. This was when I came across a definition of “maturity” as acting with courage but, with concern” which resonated with me and I have used that as a yardstick to assess my own and others level of maturity.
Here is a case in point to drive home my point. My post yesterday talked about a physically mature and so called educated person. Some would say that he even acted with courage of some sorts but, surely, he did not act with concern, for himself and for the rest of the society. I most decidedly would not call him mature. Would you?
This is my take on this week’s Friday 3 On 1 blog posts where Sanjana, Shackman and I write on the same topic. Today’s topic has been suggested by me. Please do go over to the other two blogs to see what they have to say on the same topic. Thank you.
Having just read that post, I would not even begin to think of the dude as mature, or is he in his dotage. I suppose on reflection he thought was a grand joke, that he did something that in normal times, he probably wouldn’t do – and he “won”! Or did he? I hope he doesn’t wear the consequences of falling ill…
Catherine de Seton recently posted..2021: Hermit and Solitude – how many people?
The less said about him the better.
I suspect our experiences are as similar as they can be considering the different cultural vacuns we grew up in. If course I was focused on sports for along while which did alter my trajectory somewhat.
Once again, it would not surprise me. I shall shortly go to your blog, read and comment.
I agree that maturity comes with experience rather than age. A lot of youngsters can be wise beyond their age, while plenty of older people can be irresponsible idiots, like the covidiot you mentioned. But in the end we’re all a mixture of maturity and immaturity, depending on what we’re dealing with and our particular range of skills and experience.
I agree. To take the topic a little less seriously, please read my next blog post.
You said: “Sometimes, it was because I acted in a manner befitting one younger and in others one older.”
Ohh… you will become a man liked by many. That’s what I like. Can have strong relationship to both younger and older.
You are right Tikno. I have indeed been blessed with many people who like me.
If so, you are mature beyond maturity. You are loved, liked.
That’s shameful. Thinking you’re getting away with something that goes against the law is irresponsible. What would he have said had he been caught? I’ve always believed that age isn’t a determiner or age; attitude is. I wouldn’t have considered myself actually mature until my mother moved here and I started taking care of her. Luckily that wasn’t my goal, but I hope I’ve assumed the mantle properly.
Mitch Mitchell recently posted..5 Lessons On How Not To Let Others Try To Run Or Ruin Your Life
I have been closely following your caregiving journey and I doff my topi to you dear Mitch. You are a great son. Someone worthy of being emulated by many other sons that I know of who have not done what you have done and continue to do with love.
Thank you Ramana; I appreciate that more than you know, since you did the same for your father.
Mitch Mitchell recently posted..It Takes Guts To Have An Opinion
So, just to make it lighter, the two of us are a nice mutual admiration club! 🙂