Maturity

Struggles are tools that can make you stronger when wielded properly. Whether you are in a difficult situation or tolerating a difficult person, every challenge you face has the potential to transform you into a better version of yourself.

I don’t mean that you shall learn to fight back when you are exposed to problems. I’m not talking about becoming fierce and striking back at everyone who hurts you. As much as it is necessary to defend yourself and claim your rights, it is also important to be the mature bigger person. You can then deal with your problems calmly.

What exactly is maturity? I recently received a thought-provoking forward message with the following dozen points (which prompted me to write this post):

1. Maturity is when you stop trying to change others, instead focus on changing yourself.
2. Maturity is when you accept people as they are.
3. Maturity is when you understand everyone is right in their own perspective.
4. Maturity is when you learn to let go.
5. Maturity is when you are able to drop expectations from a relationship and give for the sake of giving.
6. Maturity is when you understand whatever you do, you do for your own peace.
7. Maturity is when you stop proving to the world, how intelligent you are.
8. Maturity is when you don’t seek approval from others.
9. Maturity is when you stop comparing with others.
10. Maturity is when you are at peace with yourself.
11. Maturity is when you are able to differentiate between need and want and are able to let go of your wants.
12. You gain Maturity when you stop attaching happiness to material things!

If you keep the right mindset during distress, you can attain maturity. Dealing with an impossible person? Focus on changing your attitude towards them and accept them as they are. Someone not recognizing your value? No need to prove your worth to them because you don’t need approval from others (of course, unless they are your boss). Someone putting you down constantly and making you feel bad? Karma will deal with them, so you should let it go.

When you choose to think of everything as a learning opportunity, you will have no regrets in life and won’t feel any negative emotion. Though the world may perceive mature people as pushovers, remember that the meek shall inherit the earth.

Note: The message I received attributes the 12 points to Adi Shankara, but I could not find any proof for it. So, I’m leaving it without credits for now. If you do have a link from a reliable source, please share in the comment section below.