Definitions: (1) moving toward the next level of growth; (2) developing or working out fully; becoming complete; perfecting
Quote: Maturity: to have regained the seriousness that was had as a child at play. — Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900) German poet
Reflections:
• Giving selflessly, in order to be truly mature, must include self-esteem, power, and the ability to clearly and compassionately communicate, especially in a confrontation.
• Maturity is our move from an egocentric universe to an other-centered universe. We traverse, as an individual or as a society, through survival, security, duty, subjective self-interest, pitiful altruism, helpfulness, and finally on to generosity – a person or group can get stuck in any one of these levels.
Comment: Children try to establish their identity. One of the immature ways they do so is by exaggerating the differences they see. Somebody who has glasses is called four-eyes; somebody who is large is fat. There is a lack of subtlety in their differentiation between themselves and others.
Some adults hold that someone who has a different skin color or a different genetic structure is superior or inferior. This prejudice gives the immature person a comparison to judge themselves by. Physical, emotional, psychological, intellectual, social, and historical differences are facts. Negative generalizations, are very dangerous and cannot fit all of any class.
The mature person goes beyond the façade. If there is a need to judge, they will do so based on the character of the individual, and how they act.
Exercise: It is very instructive to listen to yourself on tape. You will hear what others hear when they listen to you. You get a sense of who you were, and how your mind worked back then. You will hear what you considered to be of value. Compare your current thoughts about the same subject to what is on the tape. The taped thoughts may sound somewhat immature. Your thoughts will progress as you grow.