Ah, Independence. I remember the excitement of moving out on my own after high school. I lived at home the first year of college, and then a friend and I found an apartment to rent. Finally, I could do what I wanted to, when I wanted to. I was independent, in charge of my life! Yet with freedom comes responsibility. I had been working part time since my first job as a dishwasher at Camp Wood the summer I turned 16. While things cost a bit less then, pay was less too, and the reality of paying bills must be faced.
On one birthday I received a card that said “Age is mandatory, Maturity is optional!” While it made me smile, sometimes I think I need to connect more with my inner adult. We hear a lot about our inner child, and connecting with imagination, playfulness and other child-like characteristics can be a good thing at times. But I’ve been thinking about adult characteristics like responsibility and courage.
Your Inner Adult:
An adult is responsible and thoughtful. An adult stands up and speaks out for the things they believe in. An adult handles tough situations and acts with courage. An adult acts with integrity and is kind yet firm.
Here is Ann Lander’s definition of Maturity.
Your Inner Child:
A child finds joy in simple things, plays spontaneously, and has fun. A child is in touch with imagination and innovative ideas.
The book “Compelling People,” talks about a balance of strength and warmth. Next I read the book “Making Ideas Happen,” which shows the importance of being able to switch between dreaming and doing.
“Is the ability to switch a key skill in life?”
Being able to access and switch between inner adult and inner child could be a great skill to have. Maybe we need a little of both, depending on the situation.
I seek to create order from the chaos of complex information. Join me at the Daily PlanIt to gain insights, inspiration, and information to increase skills for a better life. I unlock the power of teaching reading with phonics in the pursuit of literacy at www.phonicspow.com. In my spare time I explore books and movies, often choosing titles available on both screen and page.
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