As life changes, it becomes more and more arduous to grow up. A personal challenge in the growing up process is maturing. The idea of becoming a matured adult resonates connotations of transforming into a stoic old persona knowing what life is all about. I often confuse maturity with knowing. I frequently think that when the day comes, and I am a truly matured adult, I will understand life and its mysteries will seem to be clarified for me. I will know what choices to make, what words to say and how to reason with life’s challenges.

However, while growing up I have come to the realization that maturity is most definitely not synonymous to knowing. Often getting down on myself for acting too boisterous in situations or not having the wise answer when someone comes to you for help, I think to myself, “When will you ever mature?” Yet, when I take a step back I come to the realization that I am maturing.

I have had many various life experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today. Some experiences were joyous and others were traumatic at times, however; each situation left me with something to learn from it. Maturing is a full process that never ends. Unlike my initial opinion, maturing is growing not knowing.

I have redefined maturity. Maturing means to grow into the person you want to be while staying true to who you are. It’s not “knowing” something, but rather, it’s taking situations and experiences and learning from them. It’s about applying lessons learned yesterday to help you shape tomorrow. It is developing into a person who can seek connections in life’s various phenomenons, rather living solely in the moment. Maturity is keeping your surroundings in mind, to think beyond your immediate reactions and reach out for the concern of others. Maturing individuals can realize what personality traits are appropriate for what situations, and to find the deeper meaning beyond day-to-day facades.

This past week I had uncharacteristic experiences that guided me to this redefinition of maturity. I don’t know why God puts certain people in my life, why life cannot be simplified or why I react the way I do in instantaneous moments. Nor will anyone of us truly understand these and more of life’s mysteries. Nevertheless, the reasons and answers are not what we need in order to maintain maturity. Life is a mystery and always will be, but it is what we learn from our ambiguities that will form us into the young matured adults we strive to be.

Do not fear maturing, do not think it will change who you are. Rather, embrace the process of meeting the best side of you. Embrace the failures and hardships in life because they are shaping you. Have relief in the fact that you don’t need to wait on waking up one day with all life’s secrets understood. Trust in God’s plan; discover your maturity through life’s obstacles, delights and mysteries.