After traveling the past 3 weeks for business and being involved in countless situations, I finally learned that I have become more mature. I think?

What Is Maturity?

Maturity is the art of living in peace with that which we cannot change, the courage to change what should be changed -- and the wisdom to know the difference - Sikh Philosophy Network.

Maturity is not getting old but becoming wiser.

So, I decided to find out how wise I am by creating my own Maturity test.

The test consists of 7 questions, each with a scale of 1 to 10.  1 is crappy, 10 is accomplished.  The sum of all the points total 70 if the result is an A (Accomplished), 60 is a B (not Bad), 50 is a C (Controversial), 40 is a D (Defective), 39 and below is an F (Failed).

                                     
                                              The Maturity Test

1. Maturity is calmness  ……….........................   1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10
   
2. Maturity is tolerance  ………………………..  1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10
   
3. Maturity is persistence  …………………….   1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10
   
4. Maturity is resilience  ……………………….   1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10
   
5. Maturity is modesty  ………………………...   1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10
   
6. Maturity is determination  …………………..  1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10
   
7. Maturity is dependability  …………………...  1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10    
   

I took The Maturity Test and here is my score 3,3,10,10,3,10,7 = 46. 
I got a D (Defective)… ha, ha.  So how can I improve my grade?

I took the RULES “How to Improve Your Grades” from WikiHow and twisted them to fit my project.

• Build good study habits from the beginning: Reading is a means through which we initiate and maintain personal growth. Begin with something short and significant like  “The Greatest Salesman’s in the World” by OG Mandino and slowly keep building your library. Do not stop. 
• Don't cheat! Build your life, choice-by-choice.  Building a strong foundation patiently. Be truthful to yourself.
• Work hard on your assignments:  The harder you work and the better prepared you are, the more good fortune you will receive.
• Prioritize: Concentrate your energy and attention on the things that really matter.
• Talk to your teachers about your grades: Get advice from people that had succeeded before you.  Become a better listener and know when to talk. Listening to people that you admire may teach you a few things.
• Do not get distracted:  Focus on what you want to accomplish. Turn off your FB and twitter account or anything that  will be a distraction. 
• Build positive relationships with classmates: Build and maintain relationships by taking care of your friends and family. At a time of need they will be your support..
• Be responsible: Take responsibility for your acts. It is your life and you are the only one responsible for it.
  

Great rules…

If I follow them and patiently work hard for it, I should be able to improve my grade and become wiser.

Have fun, take “The Maturity Test” and give your self a grade. Find out what area you can improve. Please share the results with us!

"We all create the person we become by our choices as we go through life. In a real sense, by the time we are adults, we are the sum total of the choices we have made." - Eleanor Roosevelt

As a kid I used to climb “Ilalo” a low mountain with a steep incline. This weekend I took my kids hiking there.  We got up early, dressed light got plenty of water and we were ready for our expedition. 

At the bottom of the hill we encountered an older man who was climbing with the help of a cane, dressed semiformal, a casted arm and a hearing aid… we said hello and left him behind. I wondered how far up the mountain he will get at his age. 

Our path up the mountain had 13 wooden crosses spaced out to the top.  We passed all 13 and 2 hours later, after a hard climb we reached the top! At the top we found the last cross standing about 10 meters tall. 

After catching our breaths and enjoyed the view we decided to head back down. To our surprise, as we start our descent we meet the older man that we left behind. He was almost at the top, climbing in a steady pace. 

I approached him and voiced my respect and surprise by his stamina. I asked, “ How old are you?” and he responded by asking me to guess … 70? ...  He laughed “keep trying….  I am 83.” This incredible 83 year old climbed to the top while having a broken arm, using a cane, no water and dressed in dressy pants, sweater and leather shoes.  Incredible!

Who is this man with so much will power and determination?

Angel Agusto Chediak Hernandez Garzon!  We learned from him that this mountain, during Holy week, people climb as a pilgrimage.  Angel decided to climb and accomplish his pilgrimage.

All week I have been using Angel as an example of mind strength for my kids to understand what a person can accomplish with determination, inspiration, and working hard towards a goal! You become unstoppable!

Determination is defined as firmness of purpose; resoluteness.

We all have been in a situation where we were determined to accomplish something but quickly found a reason not to accomplish our goal.

How easy is it to find excuses?
How easy is it to quit?
How easy is it to forget our goals?

I keep reminding my kids of Angel, because I want them to understand that something worthwhile takes a lot of work and most importantly, determination.

“One of the most common causes of failure is the habit of quitting when one is overtaken by temporary defeat.”- Napoleon Hill