Adult
Scientists of both body and mind have cut a man into pieces. Those of body have cut him into head, heart, etc., leaving many brainless, heartless or both-less. Those of mind have cut him into Id, Ego, Super-ego (Freud) or child, parent and adult (Eric Berne). Therefore, the odds are we will not find a whole man. My quest to find an adult may be queer, but I am not unknown for mad choices. Let me soldier on.
My mind took the above opening when, suddenly, I felt curious to know who an adult would be. It has been the story of my life journey that I normally look for anything in my wild multidimensional imagination rather than in the cold three-dimensional world. What follows can therefore hurt no real soul if found flagrant.
Law lays down that a man becomes an adult once he turns eighteen. It is that flip second as the midnight hour of the seventeenth year of one’s existence sways from 11.59 to 12.00 that adulthood drops from above as an angelic gift. Law has been likened to an ass, but the transformation at that precious second may not necessarily be into an ass.
Maturity is considered a qualification for being an adult, but it is a synonym. An adult and a mature person mean one and the same thing (person?). The reason it is touted as a qualification is that many legal adults are not mature (not real adults).
I read that Narendra’s (Vivekananda’s) father advised him not to be surprised at anything while encountering the world. Isherwood says that such is the advice a Westerner also receives. That is the first telltale sign of one’s becoming an adult – not being surprised at anything. In elaboration, it may be said that an adult is reasonably aware of ordinary things of the world. Where something is not known, it is something to be picked up if necessary, not to be wondered at.
Moderation is another attribute of an adult. It is like applying brake while driving. Impetuosity and temerity are attractive in adolescents, not in adults. Moderation is not adopting a middle course, but weighing practicality, perils and impact. It is not avoidance of risk, but management of risk. It is not a mindless mean between opposing claims, but a workable solution without sacrificing the essence.
Enjoying productive work is an adult trait. Leisure or pleasure as a whole time goal is a contra indication.
An adult appreciates that his knowledge is limited and conditioned, that scope for correction is aplenty. He knows that his views spring from his beliefs and that other views may contradict his because of change in the standpoint. He is confident of his stance without the need to be rambunctious, and lives in amity with others of different takes on a given matter.
The urge to advice is in check in an adult. (My children must be chuckling if they read, but I am safe as they are not into FB). Individuals develop by experience, not by instruction. Developing juniors is very much a responsibility, but the role is played as a case-in-need and not as a director.
Economy of speech is practised by an adult. He does not feel the need to put in his view or contradict another. He speaks if it matters. (cf Rahul Dravid on Sachin’s claim about Chappel’s offer of captaincy: I have not read the book, and after reading it, I will give my comment if it is needed.) He expresses himself in his behavior and action. His words carry the backing of his personal experience.
Well, to be an adult in character is demanding, but it is optional. I have decided to be a child and play around and be in the world of passing fun as, encouragingly, innumerable others have chosen.
LikeScientists of both body and mind have cut a man into pieces. Those of body have cut him into head, heart, etc., leaving many brainless, heartless or both-less. Those of mind have cut him into Id, Ego, Super-ego (Freud) or child, parent and adult (Eric Berne). Therefore, the odds are we will not find a whole man. My quest to find an adult may be queer, but I am not unknown for mad choices. Let me soldier on.
My mind took the above opening when, suddenly, I felt curious to know who an adult would be. It has been the story of my life journey that I normally look for anything in my wild multidimensional imagination rather than in the cold three-dimensional world. What follows can therefore hurt no real soul if found flagrant.
Law lays down that a man becomes an adult once he turns eighteen. It is that flip second as the midnight hour of the seventeenth year of one’s existence sways from 11.59 to 12.00 that adulthood drops from above as an angelic gift. Law has been likened to an ass, but the transformation at that precious second may not necessarily be into an ass.
Maturity is considered a qualification for being an adult, but it is a synonym. An adult and a mature person mean one and the same thing (person?). The reason it is touted as a qualification is that many legal adults are not mature (not real adults).
I read that Narendra’s (Vivekananda’s) father advised him not to be surprised at anything while encountering the world. Isherwood says that such is the advice a Westerner also receives. That is the first telltale sign of one’s becoming an adult – not being surprised at anything. In elaboration, it may be said that an adult is reasonably aware of ordinary things of the world. Where something is not known, it is something to be picked up if necessary, not to be wondered at.
Moderation is another attribute of an adult. It is like applying brake while driving. Impetuosity and temerity are attractive in adolescents, not in adults. Moderation is not adopting a middle course, but weighing practicality, perils and impact. It is not avoidance of risk, but management of risk. It is not a mindless mean between opposing claims, but a workable solution without sacrificing the essence.
Enjoying productive work is an adult trait. Leisure or pleasure as a whole time goal is a contra indication.
An adult appreciates that his knowledge is limited and conditioned, that scope for correction is aplenty. He knows that his views spring from his beliefs and that other views may contradict his because of change in the standpoint. He is confident of his stance without the need to be rambunctious, and lives in amity with others of different takes on a given matter.
The urge to advice is in check in an adult. (My children must be chuckling if they read, but I am safe as they are not into FB). Individuals develop by experience, not by instruction. Developing juniors is very much a responsibility, but the role is played as a case-in-need and not as a director.
Economy of speech is practised by an adult. He does not feel the need to put in his view or contradict another. He speaks if it matters. (cf Rahul Dravid on Sachin’s claim about Chappel’s offer of captaincy: I have not read the book, and after reading it, I will give my comment if it is needed.) He expresses himself in his behavior and action. His words carry the backing of his personal experience.
Well, to be an adult in character is demanding, but it is optional. I have decided to be a child and play around and be in the world of passing fun as, encouragingly, innumerable others have chosen.
