Are You Ready Yet?
Investigating What "Growing Up" Really Means
Story by Jesse Jimenez // art by Wesley Vara

I've been noticing that there are some questions that are lingering in a lot of young intelligent young minds.   In our early to mid twenties, we are plagued with the questions:
1: When are we ready to "grow up"?
2: How do I know when I am grown up?
3: Why haven't I grown up?!

Some people have the idea in their head that they have to go to college and earn a degree to successfully "grow up" and have a positive future, although that is a great plan and probably the best way go about growing up, not everybody has the luxury of going to college for many reasons, whether the reason is financial hardship, illegal immigrant status which might prevent an all out effort, or what seems to be a growing dilemma of teen pregnancy, which can also prevent a full-time commitment toward schooling.

I have an older friend which is a sort of a mentor in my life.   He has accomplished to "keep his head above water" very successfully in his life, and while on an Instant Messaging conversation he shared with me four steps toward success and they are....

(1) Know what you want
(2) Take action towards it
(3) Pay attention to see if your efforts are working or not
(4) If its not working go back and make a minor change and proceed back to step #2

In my opinion I think that the way a person knows that they need to grow up is when their current situation doesn't render them sufficient peace of mind (when you don't or cant respect yourself for your decisions or daily actions) or void of willful, eager and focused involvement.

I think that a person knows they are growing up because they can appreciate the fundamentals of life --   hard work, truth, integrity.   I also believe that a growing person is completely and outwardly proud of everything they do, and that everything is an accomplishment or a step towards an ultimate goal.

What has to happen in order for us to grow up? Does the person or people that support and give us shelter have to die? Do we need to be threatened with homelessness? Do we have to have a baby and have a full-time responsibility for us to "get on the ball"? Or will we consciously make a decision towards realistic betterment?   I have an idea of growing up which is being able to do for yourself without having to ask from others.

So long as we stay "hungry" or know that something is missing in our lives we should probably be on the right track as long as we have a positive influence and a positive idea of what we are working towards.