Maturity: Be able to stick with a job until it is finished. Be able to bear an injustice without having to get even. Be able to carry money without spending it. Do your duty without being supervised. ~ Ann Landers

My friend Susan recently wrote me, “[My daughter] gave me a subscription to National Geographic. I’m finally old enough to actually read the articles and not just look at the pictures.”

Her statement made me laugh because I’m guilty of the same thing, especially lately. With so much negativity and bad news in the world, I find it difficult to ingest all that much depressing content in one sitting, resulting in poor habits like slowly reading one issue of Sierra over weeks instead of mere days, or turning off the news for something “lighter.” The little voice in my head complains, “Too real!” and away I go.

On the one hand, Susan’s quote represents aspects of maturity possible to be added to Ann’s list quoted above. Something like, “Be able to hear bad news, empathize, and respond appropriately. Be interested (beyond the glossy surface) in people and the world.” On the other hand, how much is too much? At what point can we step back or look away without being accused of – among other things – immaturity?

The answer is probably, “Maturity is knowing when to step back or look away.” Also, “Maturity is doing the right thing regardless of what others say.”

OK… enough for today. Too real!

How about a pretty picture as a palate cleanser? Susan is in Hawaii, so let’s look at that too.

Haleakalā National Park

Like that one? Me too! How about a gorgeous Hawaiian sunset now?