Aging Is Inevitable, Maturity Is Intentional: LOH 258

I love the second option by @cautiva-30 from the Ladies of Hive community:

When we hear the phrase: "Aging is an obligation, maturing is a choice," do you agree? Do you think aging is an obligation? Do you think maturing is optional?

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Is Aging an Obligation?

An obligation means something one must do, not because they choose to, but because it’s unavoidable. Aging, on the other hand, is a natural process of growing older. It is a biological and physical progression that happens to everyone, whether we like it or not. From the moment we are born, our bodies pass through different developmental stages: infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and finally, old age — which is the aging phase.

For example, no matter what we do to keep our bodies fit while we are young like exercising, eating well, or using anti-aging creams, we still can’t stop ourselves from aging. It’s a stage we will all eventually reach, and it cannot be stopped. Our skin will wrinkle, our hair may turn grey, and our bodies won’t be as strong as before. That’s just nature doing its work in us.

So, the question of whether aging is an obligation or not is a straightforward one because it’s inevitable. Aging isn’t something we choose or can avoid; it’s expected. Everyone should be ready for it, and for those already in that phase, that’s wonderful. Aging is simply a process that comes with human experience.

So yes, aging is an obligation, and you can’t step out of it. It’s like a cross we will all eventually carry until death calls. We can slow its visible effects, but as long as we keep living, we continue to age. Like a proverb in my place says: as we add another year, we gradually move closer to our grave. A once little baby will one day become an old woman or man. It’s natural and something we cannot negotiate with.

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Is Maturity a Choice?

Yes, maturity is a choice. This is because being mature has to do with our mindset, attitude, and decisions, not our age or how we grew up. For example, a 50-year-old person can still be immature and act like a baby. Have you heard the saying, “A fool at forty is a fool forever?" That’s exactly it.

Maturity deals with our thinking, how we act, and respond to life’s situations. It’s emotional and linked to our mental growth. This has nothing to do with our age or the birthdays we celebrate every year.

For instance, two people can both be 40 years old. While one takes responsibility for his actions, the other blames everyone else for his failures and never learns from his experiences. So, while both have aged, only one has matured.

When someone chooses to mature, they learn to take responsibility and take action instead of just sitting idle. They become open to learning, which helps them grow. They understand people’s perspectives and see life through a different lens. They also learn to control their emotions, unlike someone who chooses to let anger and frustration take over when challenges arise.

In conclusion, aging is an obligation, something we can’t run away from. It’s expected, and when it happens, we should embrace it and enjoy the time we have left. Maturity, on the other hand, is a choice, but we must learn to embrace it. Otherwise, life will keep throwing challenges our way, and if we fail to act, we become irrelevant and live a life without purpose.

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