(4)  Becoming an Adult             1   2   3   4   5   6   7   ...More >>>   

Definitions:

ad'ult n. A person who has attained the age of maturity or legal majority.

a-dult'hood n. The state of being an adult.

Examples:

It's not adult to run away - - not from home, from school, nor from a situation.  It shows adulthood when you face a problem, take the time to analyze it, and do whatever possible to make it better, and to accept what you cannot change.

It's not adult to call people names, criticize them or put them down.  An adult knows that everyone is different, everyone has problems and carries "excess baggage" from their pasts.  An adult can accept that what is right for them may not be right for another, and that there is more than one lifestyle available and that more than one truth exists.  Know that we are here to help others, not to find fault or belittle them.

It's not adult to give sarcastic, angry or annoyed answers.  A loving reply, an offer to help, a question to help you understand another, are all good ways to defuse a situation, make the other person feel better (and yourself too), and show adulthood.  When you talk softly and lovingly to your pets, they behave better, right?  Apostle Paul, in the Bible, states: "A soft answer turns away wrath."

It's not adult to think only of what you need, what you feel and what you want.  Loving others, caring for others, doing things for others, whether family, friends or strangers, makes you happier and shows adulthood (note the "only" above; you need to love and do things for yourself also.)

It's not adult to "show your independence" or "demonstrate your ability" or "impress people with your superior ability" by not doing things, by doing things differently, by doing things without permission, nor by testing the limits that others have set.  That shows the opposite.  Lots of people never hold a good job, never get ahead in their career and have many other problems because they never got past that stage.  (That's a problem I had to fight big-time myself, and still do sometimes, and you will too.)

Note that some of these traits you will see in others, some in yourself.  Try to have patience in either case.

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