- Maturity is the ability to handle frustration well, to control anger and express it creatively, and to settle differences without recourse
to violence or destruction.
- Maturity is patience and the ability to pass up 'the fun for the moment' in favour of a long-term gain. It's the recognition of the fact
that grown--up people are able to wait, and that the attitude, 'I waiit what 1 want, and 1 want it now', is infantile.
- Maturity is persistence and perseverance, to sweat out periods of discouragement or opposition and see things through to a successful
conclusion. The inunature adult is constantly chan-in. jobs, friends, spouses, and interests; for him, everything turns sour after a while, and
he is incapable of sticking to his decisions.
- Maturity is unselfishness - the ability to get out of oneself, see the needs of others and respond to them. The mature adult has broken out
of the prison of self-centredness, and has developed his capacity for understanding and empathy.
- Maturity is the ability to face unpleasantness, disappointment and defeat without becoming bitter, and without complaining or
collapsing. The mature adult knows that nobody wins them all.
- Maturity is the gift of remaining calm in the midst of turmoil, confusion or chaos. This means peace and serenity for ourselves and
also those around us.
- Maturity is the ability to disagree without being disagreeable. It's acknowledging the right of others to differ ftom us, and extending to
them the same tolerance we expect for ourselves.
- Maturity is humility - not self-belittlement or self-derogation, but true humility; which is always based on truth. The mature person is
able to say, "I'm sorry,' or'l was wrong', and when proven right, feels no compulsion to say, 'I told you so'.
- Maturity is the ability to make a decision, act on it, and stick to it, accepting full responsibility for the outcome. This requires clear
thinking, and a courageous stand, once you've chosen your position.
- Maturity means being reliable and dependable. The world is full of people who cannot be counted on - those outless wonders who break
promises, show up late or not at all, and have endless alibis to substitute for performance. Their lives are a maze of unfinished
business, broken promises, lost friends, confusion and desperation, all due to lack of integrity and self-discipline.
- Maturity is the ability, as the Alcoholics Prayer says, to accept with serenity what cannot be
courageously to change what can be chan-ed, and to have the wisdom to know the difference.
- Maturity is the ability to harness and develop your talents and energies to do more than is expected of you. Immature people spend a
lifetime exploring possibilities and doing nothing. Action requires courage and confidence. The mature person refuses to settle for
mediocrity; he would rather aim hi ch and miss the mark, than aim low and make it.
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