Time flies - we all know that; one day we're a teenager, and the next, we can't believe how teenagers are dressing. As we move into and live our adult lives, our circumstances change; we live in the grown-up world with grown-up responsibilities, jobs and children. These circumstances however, don't always mean that we act like grown-ups, and they don't guarantee an automatic maturity. So what does it mean to be mature?
10 Signs of Maturity
1. Integrity.
Are my behaviors reflective of my values? Am I trustworthy, consistent, and do I keep my promises?
2. Composure.
Am I able to control my emotions? Do I think before I act in order to make the best choices?
3. Accountability.
Am I able to accept responsibility for my mistakes? Do I admit when I'm wrong?
4. Self-Worth.
Do I believe and trust in myself? Do I stand behind my decisions and trust my instincts?
5. Generosity.
Do I give as much as I take? Am I tuned into other peoples' needs as well as my own?
6. Commitment.
Do I do what I can to see my relationships, tasks and goals through to the end?
7. Growth.
Am I willing to continually grow and change with the challenges life brings me?
8. Peace.
Have I made peace with my past so that it no longer controls me? Have I forgiven those I need to?
9. Prioritization.
Am I able to distinguish what's important and what's not in my life?
10. Self-Love.
Do I nurture myself in healthy ways? Do I take care of myself physically, mentally and emotionally?
Maturity doesn't happen overnight, and is something we acquire through the experience of self-discovery. It's important we don't let ourselves remain within the stagnant and unhealthy patterns we often learn as children; everyone around us benefits when we act with maturity, as our lives take on a higher quality and a deeper meaning.
