Growing Up

    Ive always wanted to grow up. Ever since I was little I couldnt wait to be a grown up. But what truly determines if you are grown up,? or if growing up is even a measurable at all?
 
 Grown ups. Ill start here, i guess the only way to figure out how to become a grown up is to start at that point and work backwards. What do grown ups do? They have kids (usually) they have jobs (usually) and they pay taxes ( usually) . They are commonly older, and have lived through many life experiences and had defining moments that led them to become who they are today.
    The next step backward would probably be what I would call a pre-adult. This is someone who is probably middle aged and isnt married and doesnt have kids, basically youre on your own at this point but you have no responsibilities except your own. This is where a lot of living gets done, where a lot of hurt can come, where a lot of lives are changed.
    Teenagers. Teens are the next lowest in the order here. Living under another persons roof, eating their food, and taking their money. The stage of teen can be the most important in any life. Its where you decide what kind of person you are going to be, what kind of relationship you want when youre older, what kind of job you will have, and what kind of legacy you want to leave on the world.
     Kids. kids are harmless. They are just trying to figure things out, theyre just trying to be able to find a grip to hold onto in this crazy, out of control train ,we call our lives. And when they do it can set the base for thee rest of your life.

     Now none of this is exact, or correct to anyones life. But when I look back on what Ive just written I still struggle to see where the line is that you cross and become a grown up. I mean obviously it says its the stage after pre-adult but some people dont ever get that chance. Some people are thrust past one or more of these parts of their lives, leaving major gaps of time and experiences.
    Every part of life specific to you is important. It shapes you. It gets you to the end goal of being a grown up. But whats crucial not to forget is to not grow up to fast. To have a beginning, middle, and end to your life story. To live every part to its complete and utter potential,because when you do that you allow not only yourself to become a "grown-up" but also everyone connected to you.
   On dictionary.com it says Grown up- The age at which you reach maturity. So I guess that answers it. You become a grown up when you can realize which phase of your life you're in and willingly proceed into the next. That's maturity, that's responsibility, that's when you truly become a grown up.

"Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."-Ferris Bueller (John Hughes)