Grow up already” is the first thing we hear when we do something spontaneous or when we are joyously carefree. So does growing up mean that we should not be joyous, take risks, follow our heart or be practical to the extent that we are frozen? Well if so, I would rather not grow up – thank you.
If we observe kids closely without disrupting their energy, we will find that they have many amazing qualities like spontaneity, fearlessness, and joy in simple things. Why do we have to lose those in the process of growing up?
What growing up really involves is learning from our experiences and maturing in the sense that we are able to sense reality and act with full awareness. To me growing up means – progressively being able to do the following:
Drop Fear
With more experiences we ought to be able to drop the level of fear we carry in ourselves and not allow fear to be the source of our action or inaction.
Accept without cynicism
When things don’t go the way we want, we ought to be able to have complete “acceptance of what is” without building any cynicism towards life or people. We ought to be able gain the lessons life experiences have to offer us without loosing our spirit.
Enjoy simple joys of life
Many people grow up so much that they can no longer enjoy a good sunset, smell the rose, or simply enjoy a smile of a child. I feel that being able to enjoy the simplest things in life is key part of growing up. Would not trade that for any treasures.
Be spontaneous
How many times do we stop our spontaneous impulse to say help someone, give a smile, or create a moment of joy for others using our practical thinking. If you can thank, smile, give and live spontaneously – you can create joy around you!
Creative energy
Sure many things around us are wrong. Sure economy is bad, politicians are corrupt, and we can convince ourselves life is not fair. Is that really going to help anyone make it better? Do you have the creative energy to make a difference – be it small – on a consistent basis to in areas you can affect? Growing our ability to be creative (not only in artistic sense) is one of the most important signs of growth.
Passion
Yes, so we have managed to be creative on a day to day basis. Then the question becomes – what is it that we are really passionate about? What difference we want to make in the long run? How do we want to contribute to others joy and happiness? When a person expand the areas where they are passionate about – they unleash more joy and claim to be really grown up.
Grow up surely – but don’t forget real power in life comes from reclaiming your inner child and channeling your creative energy in areas you are passionate about.
This is so very true. 🙂