In another thread, the subject came up concerning dubs and their maturity level. The question was posed as to what members on this board would consider the word Maturity to mean. So....what does Maturity mean to you?
Gumbastard
What does MATURITY mean to you?
by gumby 9 Replies latest jw friends
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maybesbabies
It means taking care of yourself independently, without the assistance of another, both physically and emotionally. Leastwise, that's what it means to me. I can still fingerpaint, stick my tongue out at people on the bus, and eat cheerios from a little plastic bag, as long as I'm taking care of myself!
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drwtsn32
A mature person is someone who thinks the same as you.
IMO one major mark of maturity is doing something because "it's the right thing to do" instead of doing something just because it satisfies a selfish desire. Whatever that means.
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xenawarrior
It means that I don't have to ask my mom if I can borrow the car or if I can go out on a school night.
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dh
i don't think maturity can be any one thing, but i do think that maturity in a person is when you're able to look at possible consequences and accept them, good or bad, before making a decision to act.
dh'
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seattleniceguy
I think that a vital aspect of maturity is respect for others. We take care of ourselves independently because we recognize the right of others not to have to look after us. We respect and consider the opinions of others, not arrogantly refusing to yield. We are good neighbors and citizens because we respect the right of others to enjoy the community.
Doc Watson wrote that maturity involves doing the "right thing" as opposed to the selfish one. Some would argue that everything we do is selfish, but perhaps the underlying priniciple in his statement was that of thinking long-term. The classic example is a child who consumes far too much candy. Caught up in the moment-to-moment bliss of the sugar in his mouth, he fails to consider (or simply does not know) the longer term effects: the soon-to-follow stomach ache.
Similarly, maturity allows us to do things that are painful in the short term but beneficial in the long run. We may choose the 15-year mortgage or bite the bullet and begin that exercise regimen, because we are thinking about the long term.
I think that these two points are broad principles underpinning much of what we consider to be maturity. They're certainly areas in which I've grown since leaving the organization. Indeed, leaving the organization itself is an act of maturity because it means being true to oneself and the facts in spite of the painful losses that are incurred. XJWs, pat yourselves on your mature backs!
Just some musings.
SNG
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Country_Woman
knowledge and the wisdom how to use it
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Satans little helper
Knowing that I don't have all the answers and being wise enough to be cool with that
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stillajwexelder
Physical maturity is when one has become a man or women
Spiritual Maturity is when one can critically discuss scriptures and non-scriptural texts (and the Koran etc.) and make ones own independent judgement without pressure from third parties
Emotional and Mental Maturity is when one is not TOTALLY reliant on other people for emotional/mental support
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gumby
Some here have stated that maturity means that one doesn't need to rely on others for support. That however could fall under the "being responsible" catagory.
A 10 year old kid for example, might be dropped off at an airport. This kid goes in and buys a ticket, boards the plane, gets to the destination, and then calls his grandma to tell her he's arrived and to please pick him up. Is the kid mature? Not really........but he's very bright, fearless, and responsible.
*still waiting for hillarystep to give his input since he's the one who brought it up*
Gumby