Physical maturity is inevitable, emotional maturity is not.

The things you learn in maturity aren’t simple things such as acquiring information and skills. You learn not to engage in self-destructive behavior. You learn not to burn up energy in anxiety. You discover how to manage your tensions. You learned not to trust your emotions, they’re ephemeral. You learn that self-pity and resentment are among the most toxic of drugs. You find that the world loves talent and beauty but pays off on character. You learn you can be a successful failure by chasing the wrong passion. When you find your purpose, your provision will chase you. You learn if you are true to who you are and what you believe, it will open doors, not keep them closed. You learned that competition taken to extremes can be a form of mental illness. You learn to stop trying to hit the high notes of the past and move on to the next thing. You learn to be your own shrink and ask yourself the tough questions. You learn to do your best even if your best is just getting out of bed. You learn to tolerate disappointment. You learn there are going to be bad days, but not to make it into a life position. You come to understand that most people are neither for you nor against you; they are thinking about themselves. You learn sacrificial love equals the highest form of love and that love is a very serious business. You learn that some of your major mistakes have had love as an accelerator. You learn that no matter how hard you try to please, some people in this world are not going to love you, a lesson that is at first troubling and then really quite relaxing.