Just this morning, I witnessed a large truck speeding down my street, honking at a double-parked car (do cars move themselves??). Over the weekend I heard so much gossip it made my head spin. And tomorrow I’m likely to hear one of my clients badmouthing a co-worker.
One thing I’m quite certain of, after 15 years in this business and extensive international travel, is emotional maturity isn’t highly valued in this country. Additionally, it is our collective immaturity that has created our current financial crisis. We are like children, demanding to play now and pay later. Yet, delaying gratification is not only beneficial, it can be more enjoyable.
Some Signs of Emotional Maturity
- Making sacrifices for the sake of others
- Admitting when you’re wrong
- Compromising
- Accepting things as they are, without judgment or criticism
- Taking a long-term view
- Making good decisions, rather than choosing whatever feels good in the moment
When people ask me why I do the work I do, I always answer with, “I want to make the world a better place.” I’ve chosen to do this by building maturity in myself first, then by showing others how much better life could be with just a few simple changes. Consider adopting just one of these options for a few weeks.
1. Listen to those you love, without comment or judgment. Open your heart and hear them out.
2. Ask yourself, “Is this smart?” in addition to, “Does this feel good?” Both questions are important.
3. When something unexpected happens, don’t try to figure out if it’s good or bad, just accept that it is. Do the best you can with what you’ve got.
4. Do something helpful for someone else, even if it’s inconvenient. You’ll be amazed by how much you get out of it.
5. Admit it, out loud, when you’re wrong. And do it without shame or embarrassment- it was only a mistake.
By demonstrating just a little emotional maturity you can make more sound financial decisions, enjoy driving again, and parent happier and healthier kids. Becoming wise, grounded, and compassionate requires living intentionally, which is a habit you develop over time. It’s never too late to start, but it’s something you don’t want to put off (procrastination is another sign of immaturity).
There are personal development tools available, more than ever before, and they are extremely important to learn. You can love more deeply, feel more peaceful in your heart and head, learn to let go of anger and grief, and achieve lasting happiness. Be a renegade! Break out of this current culture of greed, short-sightedness, and childishness. I promise you- you’ll enjoy your life even more.
To get moving along the path to emotional maturity, you may wish to begin with a private consultation. Or, consider taking a course focused on the mind and how it works. Valuing education is a great sign of emotional maturity.
Janis Ericson, founder and director of Lightwork Seminars, Intl. is an internationally recognized NLP and hypnosis trainer and practitioner and author of "I Know I Need to Change, but How?"