Our minds are inherently geared towards growth; we are like plants with a destiny to push through the soil and up towards ever greater light. With emotional curiosity, we can evolve into the complete adults that we already appear to be to those who don’t know us well. We can dare to evolve.
In order to grow, we must measure our development to identify where work remains. If one were to checklist behaviours that measure emotional growth, a few may include:
| You learn that what is in your head can’t automatically be understood by other people. You realise that, unfortunately, you will have to articulate your intentions and feelings with the use of words – and can’t fairly blame others for not getting what you mean until you’ve spoken calmly and clearly. | You are quicker to forgive yourself, and your parents – you realise they were just painfully out of their depth, and struggling with demons of their own. Anger can turn, at times, to pity and compassion. | You understand that – remarkably – you do sometimes get things wrong. With huge courage, you take your first faltering steps towards apologising (once in a while). | Our new book, How Emotionally Mature Are You?, features an inquiry-based questionnaire to identify our specific immaturities, and so put into place certain lessons and ideas that have the power to help us progress. | | | One of the most important of all psychological benchmarks for growth is what we can call ‘emotional maturity.’ To be emotionally mature doesn’t always mean being entirely sane or good, but it involves striving at all times to understand ourselves, to communicate clearly to those we care about, to take responsibility for our bad moods and egoism and to come to a balanced view of our position in the wider of scheme of things. It is – in other words – a central conduit to being a slightly more bearable person.
Join us for an evening with Alain de Botton – founder and creative director of The School of Life – as he takes us through what emotional maturity might be, why it matters, how it comes about and how we could – through great effort, compassion and thought – secure a little more of it in our lives. There will be time for questions, interactions and a book signing. | | | |
