How many of these do you do?
1. You listen more and talk less
When we realize as human beings we are built to hear more (because we have two ears) and speak less (we have one mouth/tongue); we gain more information and whatever we speak will be based on substantial reasoning. This will provide a glimpse of a thinking individual/rational person to the audience. Thus you shall be perceived more seriously, and in turn this will add to your confidence. It is the first sign of you becoming a more matured individual than what you were before.
2. You do not shy away from responsibilities
As individuals we play a variety of roles in our societal set up. Be it for our family, our community, our friends, our country or for the human race in general. Additionally, we, being the highly successful species on Earth, should also be responsible for other species of this planet, as well as for sustaining the planet for future life forms. When you think in these terms, you behave in a more responsible manner. You not only perform your duties for your family or country, you also take care of mother earth. This makes you a matured individual on this planet.
3. You are less argumentative and more accommodating
There are times when you think you are right in an argument but by winning an argument you may lose a friend. So, it may be advisable to refrain from arguing too much at these times. Quite often, when things are normal, the other person with whom there was an argument may realize your point of view, or it is also possible you understand his/her perspective better. For, just because someone is not agreeing to you, does not mean he/she is wrong. By arguing less, you are providing the required space and prestige to others, and at the same time you are buying more time for yourself to look at the other’s argument from another angle. And additionally, you command more respect from others. This shows you are now a matured individual.
4. You enjoy each season
Most of us have a likening for either summer or winter or spring or rains. That’s fine. But there is no need to get irritated whenever your favorite season has been replaced by another one. There is a cycle of seasons and life forms adapt to that. No one can control seasonal cycles and no one should control them. So if you are enjoying changes in season, however abrupt they might seem, you have grown into a matured individual.
5. You wear a smile on your face
Life is a topsy-turvy event. It doesn’t matter how hard scientists/researchers try to predict it, it remains unpredictable. You plan for today in the morning, and by the afternoon you have to modify it to accommodate something unplanned. Whatever the situation may be, wearing a smile has a positive impact on your body and mind. So, if you are being found mostly with a smile, you should consider this as a sign of getting matured.
6. You love children and elders
Most of us like to hangout with friends. Most of these friends are of the same age group. However, if you like to spend time with children and older people, you should consider yourself a mature individual. Quite often, spending time with people who are not in your age bracket helps you visualize life in an entirely different manner. These moments, later on, shall be counted in your experiences.
7. You save more than what you expend
This one does not need any detail explanation. Saving more than the expenditures will itself lend credibility to your maturity status.
8. You indulge more in reading
To be updated is of utmost priority in today’s knowledge-driven society. And probably one of the best ways to get informed is to read. If you are spending more time reading, this indicates you are serious about your business which is a sign of maturity.
9. You take care of yourself as well as others
In the run of life, you may give less importance to yourself relative to your family members. However, you must realize you are no less significant. Therefore, you must take out time for yourself, and take care of your body and mind. This will, in turn lead to better performance in your duties which will render you as a responsible and matured person.
10. You seek the signs of maturity
You’re reading this article; this action itself shows you are serious about being considered mature. You now seem to shoulder your responsibilities and want to know the meaning of your existence. Therefore, you are looking for things you should know/do in order to become a responsible and mature citizen. This is a sign of you now being a mature individual.
Maturity brings with it responsibility. With responsibility comes sensibility. Sensibility leads to confidence. So move with confidence to show the world you have now matured.
~By Mohit Kumar
I have been working at Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad as a Junior Research Fellow since November 2009. My research involves studying the coastal zones of India using satellite data, GIS (Geographic Information System) and in situ observations. I have worked primarily on Gujarat coast. In particular I have extensively studied the Marine National Park and Sanctuary (MNP&S), Jamnagar, Gujarat.
