What is a Grownup?

Since I have been focused on positive aging or what I like to call sage-ing, one of my favorite magazines is AARP.  I read it from cover to cover because it is full of great information to keep us thinking, creating, dreaming, learning. 

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One article was on how to know if you are a grownup.  The author asked some of his friends and here is what they said.  You're a grownup when ...

• You know there are many things much more important than yourself.
• You're willing to say "I was wrong."
• You're attentive to the footprint you will have left on the world.
• You forgive the carelessness of the young, regret the thoughtlessness of your own youth.
• You finally realize you have no one to complain to.

The author reminds us that growing up is a choice and that the journey begins with the simplest of steps:  identifying our values and then acting accordingly.  But the goal is to get focused in the right direction and to start moving.  "The alternative is to have a life that has a beginning, a middle, and then just ends."

So many of the responses below reflect sage-ing concepts.  So I started to think about my answers to that question:

• You know that life is part of death and death is part of life.
• You start thinking more about legacy than how high you are climbing the career ladder.
• Your parents have failing health and are no longer living.  You are the elders in the family.
• You find people seeking you out for advice and wisdom.
• You answer many of your own questions by listening to your inner wisdom.

My list could go on, but I am interested in how you know if you're a grownup?

How would you answer this question? 

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Comments

[Ashley Gerst]

This article is great, and some people need to read this and realize it. Going to college I think is one of the first steps to maturity and "grown-upness" if you will. We have to learn that we can't ask mom and dad to do everything for us now. Yes, they will help you with whatever you need I'm sure, but you can't expect them to do all. You are at college, away from home and you have the choice of going to class, what you're going to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday, when you'll do your homework, when you want to go out for a night, etc. because it's YOUR responsibility now for you actions.

Everything that was said in the article is true. Haven't really thought about it in depth like that but now I see it. Attending college and the decisions you make have to be all on your own. LIke the article said, you will start answering your own questions by listening to your inner wisdom. You start thinking about a career and the path you want to take in the future, and you have to set priorities to meet those standards.

[Jann Freed]

Thanks Ashley for reading. I think the key word is “grow.” As long as we keep growing through learning, there is no end to what we can learn and to what we can become. Good thoughts on a beautiful day.

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[Jake Viggers]

I really enjoyed reading this artical, and I feel that anyone that is around my age should read this. I really liked what the author said about growing up is a choice and it can start with some of the smallest steps. Many people think that they are a grown up but still act so immature all through there 20s. Then you have some teenagers that act as grown ups. I think one of the biggest steps to becoming a grown up is finishing high school and making the choice on your own to go to college. Getting out of the house and living on your own is a huge step for growing up. You learn to become responsible for all your belongings and also the things that you decide to do the rest of your life.

[Josh Meredith]

A "grown-up" to me has always been just married parents with full-time jobs because I haven't thought about it in too much depth. That viewpoint hadn't really changed until I read this and gave it some thought. After reading some of the responses and answers from others it becomes a much clearer concept.

If I were to answer this question now I would say being "grown-up" means having more responsibility, whether that be in anything from parenting to your career. It means understanding your purpose and what impact you have on others and the environment. It means knowing yourself and accepting you for you. Although I may have originally thought that there was an age requirement in order to achieve "grown-up" status, I now see that your thoughts, viewpoints, and actions decide.

[Jann Freed]

Good thoughts. I am glad you are thinking about it. It seems as if we give up some the things we enjoy most because we think we have to act as a grown-up. That is why I love the movie BIG so much. Keep thinking. Thanks

[Jann Freed]

I agree that we can be mature and still have fun in life. If it isn't fun, then we need to make some changes in our life. Life is short. Stay awake for it. Thanks.