|
The sad part is that there are some people that never get out of that. You might even know a few.
That doesn't usually come until mid to late twenty's. By that time, they realize that shows they saw on MTV or other places weren't as "real" as they claimed to be. There really are taxes to pay, jobs to attend to, people to look after, etc. After a few reality shocks, unfortunately some in the form of a loss whether it be a prized possession, job, or even somebody they know, is when some people come to realize that life doesn't always cut you some slack.
I think that the more things people are exposed to, the broader their mindset is and the more personal experience they posses to form their own opinions. When somebody learns to unplug themselves from the sitcoms, reality shows, celebrity gossip, slanted media, and biased reports, then that forces them to think for themselves and decide what world events are important. If all I heard about on the news every single day was the war over in Iraq, then that would lead me to believe that it is very important and that nothing else was.
It comes to everyone at a different age, but I won't limit it to twenties because there are some who have done much better in their teens. That is one of the reasons why I think most girls are doomed to fail in her relationships if she aims for or only dates older guys because 'they are older and that means more mature'. Total garbage. If they base that on the idea that since guys their age are immature, so therefore older guys are better, then that was their first relationship mistake.
You learn to think for yourself when you stop caring what others think of you. Lets take this example. John just started high school, but he's having no luck with the ladies...in fact, they all laugh at him and think he's weird and they never talk to him. He's not a star athlete and doesn't have the face of a model. So his four years at high school are limited to him just because he never went outside of the girls in his high school. Thirty years down the road he's married, has a job, and kids of his own. In the long run, did the opinion of those girls John knew in high school matter at all? Absolutely not. Wanting to be your own person, define yourself, and not let anybody you know change you or make you feel inferior for doing so is the first step to maturity. I really don't see too many adults getting upset or worrying about what clothes they wear or what others think of them anymore.
Don't get the wrong idea though, because this comes to everyone (hopefully) at a different point in their life. Sometimes the earlier, the better, when it comes to deciding what they want out of life. For the most part, everyone wants the best they can get out of life...they just don't know what that is. For some people, that might mean following the crowd and doing stupid things to see if that makes them happy. It usually doesn't, not later on anyways.
Everyone needs to be exposed to the ups and downs of life. They need to visit a poorer neighborhood, maybe meet some kids who aren't as fortunate as them, people who have health problems and would give up anything to be healthy and take full advantages of opportunities they have. Fortunately, people do realize all this, come to think for themselves, and have a more realistic viewpoint on life. It doesn't come easy. To those who are kept in a shell and don't experience different events, meet different people and visit different places, it might be more difficult as they become older to make the change. Most of us who are fortunate enough to have a roof over our heads and meals to eat everyday without having to work, don't always appreciate that. The realization that all of those things don't happen without work and sacrifice is usually what leads to a different outlook on life, hopefully a better one. Sorry for rambling, hope thats what you were looking for.
|
