**CROSSPOST** Goals, Maturity, Life and Lessons

This is from my other blog.

 I used to think of age as a sign of maturity. Finally, at 62, I realize that maturity is a lifelong process. Most of us think of levels of maturity as a set of milestones that we reach at the ages of 13, 16, 18, 21, and so on.

What I have learned - finally - is that we become fully "mature" when we learn how to behave better. So, for all the young people out there, here are some milestones of behavior that we all should strive for (and it's a lifelong process):

When you 

• Become more of a peacemaker than a troublemaker
• Become better at loving and listening than being lewd and loud
• Learn to be more gracious and less rude
• Get better at being more thoughtful and giving than grasping and wanting
• Try being understanding as much as you want to be understood
• Try thinking deeply and critically rather than being quick at the mouth
• Listen more than you talk
• Can disagree with others without hating, belittling, or disrespecting them
• Practice more humility than indulging in pride
• Learn patience and endurance instead of going for the quick wins
• Appreciate beauty in the world without photobombing it with selfies
• Learn to slow down and savor moments and experiences without rushing to the next one
• Accept that you have some of the same flaws that you see in others
• Are happy in peace in stillness
• Can be grateful for every breath you take
• Can recognize when you are wrong and not gloat when you are right
• Realize how much your actions - no matter how small - can have a negative or positive impact 
• Want to be a better person today than you were yesterday - even though you can never be "perfect".

If I could go back in time and change one thing in my life, it would be to know what true maturity is. When I was young, if I had realized that I was building my past, I would have done so many things differently. 

Every breath is a blessing. Every mistake can be a lesson. We are here for such a short time, but we do matter. Live as if you know that.

Peace

--Free