Growing Up is Hard to Do

"If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?"

That was our Bellwork prompt in English last week, and you know what my answer was?

Neverland.

Is Neverland even in this world?  I don't know, but that's what I wrote a whole 235 words about.  I don't want to travel there so that I don't ever have to grow up, but I want to just have some fun for a little bit - no worries except Captain Hook, who I'm pretty sure I tame with my womanly charm (;

To be honest, I really can't wait until I'm older!  I'm kind of excited for that life where I can support myself, and I'm living in my own apartment with or without a roommate, and I have that job that I absolutely love and can support me, and I fall in love and start a family.  I want to have all of that!  But being able to experience those things, and to excel at it, growing up is imperative. 

What is growing up?  Growing up isn't getting taller, or getting older - it's becoming responsible and respectful towards everyone and everything, and knowing your limits.  It's following the rules, especially in the home - because the way you act in your home, is the way you will act in the real world.  The way you treat your family, is the way you will treat your future family when you have one.  The habits developed as a teenager, will be so hard to kick as an adult.  Life isn't easy.  Why?  Because everybody needs to grow up.  Some people never grow up, and they still go on to get older and have families and obtain jobs - but their life may be filled with drama and immaturity and depression.

Truth is, I'm kind of afraid to grow up.  Because no matter how much I can't wait until I get older and am done with school, it's hard to start out on your own.  It's hard to venture out of your comfort  zone, especially for us!  America is the master at needing comfort.  We're talking about a mass society of people who, even when traveling to other countries and cities, go eat at fast food restaurants because they're not brave enough to try something new!  Why go to Italy when you're going to eat McDonald's?  Why go to China when you're going to eat Panda Express?  

Why grow up when it's easier not to?


Because that's the only way you're going to make it in the world.
Because when you grow up, life is good.
I'm not saying life will be easy, or that growing up will be easy,
But it's something that we need to do.