Some thoughts on “growing up”…
It takes practice. Like singing. Some people are born with a natural gift for singing. Does that automatically make them great singers? No.
It means they have potential and they have a head start on everyone else.
But, like everyone else, they have to learn (whether on their own or from someone else) the foundation of singing and they have to practice. Learning and practicing. And recognize that these two things never stop.
How far and how fast depends on singer’s commitment to the craft. The more they learn and practice – and the sooner they start – the quicker they are to get where they want to go.
There you have it: you have to learn, you have to practice, and you have to make a commitment.
That’s pretty much how growing up works. You can do it at your own pace. Start when you want. Maybe when you are 13, maybe 17, maybe 21, or maybe wait until you’re 30. It’s up to you.
Don’t fool yourself by misunderstanding people saying, “I never want to grow up.” It’s one thing to maintain a youthful outlook on life. It’s a completely different thing to never figure out who you are, what you are capable of, or how to take care of yourself.
There’s nothing wrong with taking your time and easing into adulthood. Just recognize that the opportunity to ease into it is a privilege that most people don’t get. Too many people are forced to shoulder life’s burdens and responsibilities before they are ready – and too often through no fault of their own. If adulthood isn’t being thrust upon you, you owe it to yourself to be readying for that moment. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy life; it simply means that you should appreciate it and appreciate the opportunities you have.
And that brings up a key point: opportunity. One of the main reasons you want to practice is so that you will 1) be able to tell a good opportunity from a bad opportunity, and 2) be ready to take advantage of the good ones.
So, what does it mean to “practice” growing up?
It basically means learning to think before you act and to learn from the consequences of your actions.
It means learning to pay attention to the details before, during, and after you do something.
It means learning to plan, to make commitments, to see things through to completion.
It means learning how to work with others, how to count on others, and how to be counted on.
It means learning how to take responsibility and blame when things don’t go according to plan, rather than making excuses and blaming others.
It means learning how to ask for help and how to help.
It means learning how to live in a world that is much bigger than your immediate circle of friends.
Of course, it means a lot more, but let’s keep it simple. If you start developing the habits of practicing these things on a regular basis, you will be growing yourself up. And that means you will be making yourself ready to take advantage of good opportunities when they come your way. And, more importantly, it means you will be better prepared to handle life’s challenges when they come your way…
-YMMV
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