A Piece of My Mind: Maturity.

I've decided to do something completely new with my blog - I'm going to do a series!*  It's called "A Piece of My Mind," and each blog I will explain why I think what I think in regards to a certain topic.  Today's topic: Maturity.

*          *           *           *

For a long time, I have had some bad experiences with the word "maturity."  A lot of people in my life have attached a negative connotation to it, really.  I remember my frequent run-ins with Mrs. Gardener, who would year after year ask me when I was going to "grow up."  I remember teachers chiding us in middle to school to act more mature.  I remember my peers ceasing to do harmless, fun activities and pick up more mature activities like drinking and partying.

I've heard a lot of definitions for the word.  Webster defines "mature" primarily as "based on slow, careful thought."  I once heard someone suggest that maturity is "denying your passions," and someone else explain it to me as "acting like a normal person."

I have a problem with all of these definitions.  First, I put absolutely no slow, careful thought into going to bed early when I have to work in the morning, yet that is a mature decision.**  Secondly, denying your passions doesn't hold up in a Christian context... our passion is supposed to be to serve and glorify God, and denying ourselves of that would be pitiful.  Third, what exactly is a normal person?  I will give my Macbook and my Triumph to whoever can answer that accurately.

I think Senora Lozada defined maturity correctly when she said, "maturity is knowing when something is appropriate and when something is inappropriate."  Ecclesiastes says that "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven (3:1)."  There is a time to play silly games, a time for goofing off, and a time for laughing at stupid jokes.  Consequently, there is a time for dressing up, for being somber, and for discussing serious matters.

I think too many people operate under a false definition of maturity and as such act out maturity in an incorrect manner.  Worse of all, these people attempt to project this faux-maturity onto others.  Don't act silly, that's not mature.  Don't play games, those aren't mature.  Act like this... like me.  This is mature.  I am mature.  I think there is the potential for great danger in that thought.

When we realize that there is a time for everything, we gain a sense of freedom.  So that means I can do this, something that I used to love to do in middle school, but now seems immature?  I can feel this way, even though it is a very high-school-like feeling?  I would argue yes.  As a famous president once said, "yes we can."***  Now I recognize that there are things we used to do in middle school or high school or whatever that are, in fact, unhealthy or unnecessary.  I'm not saying do everything, but I'm saying it's okay to do some things.  I hope that makes sense...

In the end, I want to extol you to reflect on this definition of maturity.  See how it plays into your everyday life.  I also would like some feedback... what do you have to say?  Can you think of a better definition of maturity?  Do tell.

Thanks for reading,

-Daniel K

*Cue rejoicing.

**I realize that one could argue this point.  Maybe I don't always put slow, careful thought into going to bed, but rather that slow, careful thought took place some time ago and I am operating under it still.  I would argue that that is common sense based on experience.  That being said, I think Webster has the closest thing to a good definition I've seen.

***Well, I thought it was clever...