What it takes to grow up

Growing old is mandatory.... Growing Up?, well that's certainly optional.

What does it take to grow up?. Truth be told, its about taking responsibilities, about beginning to own up. Growing up is therefore about situations and not about time. How we handle situations shows how grown up we are.


Being able to take responsibilities and being selfless are just two sides of a coin, they go hand in hand. The more self centered we are the less is our ability to own up to others. To be able to open up to others, to be able to walk a mile in their shoes is the pathway of growing up. As a look back, the path of the 'Grown Ups' is littered with lost opportunities for self appeasement. Its important to put oneself two steps behind and find happiness in the happiness of others.

Fatherhood is one of the greatest opportunities to grow up. It lends itself quite naturally. The moment you hold that little baby in your trembling hands, selfishness just leaps out of your life. The funny part is, that, somewhere along the way, as time passes by, the original feelings wear off and then being grown up becomes a conscious minute to minute effort. Every moment we are faced with the option to remain grown up or revert to infancy.

In all honesty, I don't think I have always done the right thing as a father. And I don't think its humanly possible to do the right thing all the time.

I just want to be able to say to myself, in all honesty, that I am constantly growing up. Just that.