There are five aspects of maturity that are crucial to a person’s efforts when maturing as a person of faith, hope, love and significance. Each one is important to an ambitious person but when they are integrated into one’s life-style, they become powerful indeed.
Spiritual Values (Ethical Virtues) -- are vital in a maturing life -style because they determine what we consistently do because something is right or never do because something else is wrong. When strong personal and family or organizational values are in place, people can usually avoid most of the self-defeating choices that haunt individuals and families. Not only do ethical virtues give us a standard against which to measure our intentions, thus avoiding mistakes, they allow our decisions to be made without endless discussions, debates and agonizing introspection sessions.
Positive Attitudes -- are rooted in the personal world view of individual members and entire families or organizations. When men and women develop positive attitudes because of faithful and friendly connections, there are few limits as to what they can accomplish together. Sound attitudes enable a family to mature in love and service because many more people are included in meaningful attitudes and activities.
High Expectations -- work wonders in groups and for individuals that aim high rather than toward mediocre results and rewards. There are indeed miracles accomplished by dreams that are visualized by dedicated men and women and brought to fruition by a community of achievers that works well together.
Mature Beliefs -- are based on a real understanding of how people and things work in the real world. You may believe that most people are trustworthy but don’t invest your bankroll without trusting and verifying the honesty of the salesman. Existential psychologist Wayne Dyer has written quite well on the power of beliefs in his book YOU’LL SEE IT WHEN YOU BELIEVE IT.
Responsible Choices -- this is where the rubber of life meets the road through planning well to identify an important goal, create a practical vehicle through which to attain that goal and then work hard and smart to bring it to reality. This is where the work gets done by men and women who commit themselves to the meaningful activities of their families, companies, communities and churches.
No one reaches maturity and no one should ever stop growing -- for maturing is a never ending process. But each person who lives as a person of faith and grace, can keep live satisfying for all of life.
SELF FOCUS -- Think through and write down how you shall improve your:
VALUES, ATTITUDES, EXPECTATIONS, BELIEFS and CHOICES
