A certain someone used to like comparing me with other guys of the same age or younger. The item of comparison was level of maturity. I do agree that at that point in time, I did not act mature, neither did I feel that there was a need to be mature. All I knew then was to be accountable to people I had to hold accountability to. Looking back in hindsight, I feel that I was already matured then. Why? Because, regardless of how I act, I had a mature mind with regards to my actions. Though not all the time but it was still some form of maturity/adulthood. It has dawned upon me that maturity isn’t how you act, it’s how you think/perceive the world/events/people around you. Of course, the more mature you are with the latter, you will definitely act mature in your actions and speech. It’s an inside-out equation not a outside acting documentary show. With this revelation at hand, I feel enlightened.
But here, I’m going to turn the tables on this certain someone. Being a new entrant into the working world, I meet a lot of people in my line of work. So, I was able to compare this someone with other people of the same age. I was really appalled by the stark difference the world presented me. Of course, this is the world (sinful in nature) but I’m talking about maturity here. I see younger people being more mature, more accomplished, more thoughtful and definitely a role model for others. Placing the someone side by side, it seems although they might be around the same age, but the disparity is like an adult and a teen. Some may argue, it’s the living, working conditions and lifestyle that shapes the individual but as we grow, there has to be a time when we outgrow a certain age group, reluctantly clinging on to a teenage worldview does not make anyone more mature than a teen trying to eke out his own existence in the adult world. At an age where most people are parents or soon to be parents, it’s really not helpful trying to be a teen. If you have to be a mentor to teens, it’s really no point being an overage teen, it’s better being a young adult for people to model/emulate after.
The world is realistic and pragmatic. Move on with the times and open eyes wide to look at how people of the same age act/think/speak. That way, growth/maturity will come quick.
