Friday, October 21, 2016

Maturity



Growing Up

I may have mentioned I've been reading my journals from my past. (This pic is of my current journal.) It's been very interesting and educational. It's nice to see the progress made, and I've rolled my eyes when I continued to make the same dumb mistakes...and realized that I am still doing some of the lame things I used to.  I've mostly been skimming through (because there is a lot of life I've written down...and eventually a project will be to type it all up in digital form.) 
What I've gleaned from my past is that I have taken a VERY long time growing up. I think immaturity is a characteristic of issues such as bipolar or personality disorders. It's such a weird experience waking up to a new awareness of my thinking processes and reasons behind my actions.

Maturity can be defined in a lot of different ways, yet a Google search produces some helpful ventures. Such as THIS. And this.  For my own definition, it is coming to live life on my own terms and not just following along with some idea of what I "should" be doing. I absolutely need the guidance that I've received as a general outline of my life...yet it is up to me to decide who I will become. 
And the way to become my very best self is to give my will to God. He knows so much better what will help me and what I'm capable of-- and how to reach that potential. I have been so stubborn and prideful for much too long, trying to make it on my own. I've given my Heavenly Father a nod along the way-- as in "Yes, I know you're there....and I believe in You and know You are important to me. I just want to be strong and independent and show You that I don't need help like other people do."
HA!!!!!

He is kind and wise and patient and oh so merciful. He knows in my heart I've wanted to do the right things (even if not always for the best reasons), and He knows I've made silly errors in thinking and understanding what is real and true. EVEN SO-- what I continue to learn is it is never too late. Now is the best time. For whatever. For truly growing up-- while still remaining child-like in my enthusiasm for life, love for others, and faith and hope in possibilities.