[Procyona]

Dear forum mates,

a dear friend of mine said that he has become an adult, when he stopped going along with other peoples views. I myself feel like I might be half way there: half adult, half child. I think like my friend said, it's about taking responsibility, and feeling that you can handle yourself.

What do you think? What does it mean to be an adult, and how do you reach the stage? Thank you   

[Haveunique]

Interestingly, I find that "adult" is one of those words we could easily live without. What does it mean anyway? A child can be aware and responsible about their actions. So is there really a need to define what being adult means? Maybe, maybe not.

If we are to use the term, however, it is indeed taking responsibility (and don't confuse it with guilt or fears, or anything else unrelated) for own actions and being aware. It seems that in popular culture in our society responsibility is more or less defined, and awareness is hopefully entering our lives rather sooner than later...   

[Procyona]

Good point about the need for definitions. Maybe being an adult is not one of the most crucial words to define, because it does not mean action (at least for me it doesn't).

For me the words child and adult are not contradicting actually, but that one person can be both at the same time: Being a child is being open to what I am, and enjoying and feeling without too much reasoning.

Tetyana, and all the forum participants, do you think you can take responsibility without awareness? I think not, because then you don't know what you are taking responsibility of.   

[Haveunique]

Milla, I think knowing why you do something comes first, and then the rest.   

[Procyona]

Do you mean knowing why to take responsibility, why to be aware, or something different entirely, Tetyana?   

[Haveunique]

It's simple, Milla, why complicate it whenever there is an action, there is a reason behind it. Do you know it or not? And if yes, does it bring you joy? That's all   

[Procyona]

I must say this confuses me being aware of the reason is awareness, right? So which comes first - awareness, or reason? It's amazing that they can be both there at the same time.   

[Художник]

in my opinion "adult" is to aware the cost of your actions or lack of action   

[Procyona]

Thank you Художник, the lack of action is a good point indeed! It is one of the greatest in sights that passivity / lack of action has consequences as well   

[Художник]

Everything has consequences )))   

[Faroth]

Being an adult is to be responsible of your actions and life. You do what you do or don't do, responsibility is yours.

Never the less, I think it's always good to have a little bit of child within us.   

[Procyona]

True words Ville-Pekka. Something we can learn from children I think is to be in this moment.

[Faroth]

Wise words from Dalai Lama.

'Adults' shouldn't suppress their feelings so much as they do. We might feel more vulnerable when we show feelings, but I don't know if that's true. We are not made of stone after all.