"Healthy adulthood is a time of doing, acquiring, changing, creating, leading, influencing, and wielding power. Adulthood is a time of great strength and responsibility. It is the summer of one’s life." --Suzanne Kyra
Adulthood is a time of strength, confidence, and potential power. Healthy adulthood demands maturity, awareness, and the ability to attend to what is needed. Being an adult involves meeting the needs of our bodies, minds, and souls, plus the needs of those who are dependent on us.
In adulthood, we have the privilege of freedoms other developmental stages do not enjoy, while being charged with the responsibility of helping those without adult privilege and power. This is a time to help build better futures for those not yet born, and those in their twilight years. The foundation of our childhood determines how well we will care for others.
I Have Learned
... that adulthood is the greatest developmental period of responsibility and power in my life. This is an important time for me to keep sight of the vulnerabilities of those I care for. Attending to the needs of myself and others can require great juggling and balancing. I need to choose wisely in all areas of my life, for it is how I handle the summer of my life that greatly influences the health of myself and others.
Musings on Adulthood, With Soulfulness
Healthy adulthood is an important stage to invite soulful reflection as an important part of learning about our inner self. Soulful reflection is that which is rich and alive in you. Who are the adults you most admire? Who are your mentors, coaches, and teachers? What attributes do you most admire in these adults? What do you believe are the responsibilities of being an adult? What can you imagine doing to cultivate maturity, compassion, curiosity, and caring in your life?
Encouragement
At the start of every day, give yourself permission to imagine how you wish it to be, and what you will do to make it that way. Every evening, reflect on how you contributed to making your day rich, and consider how you might influence the next day to be satisfying. In the midst of this awareness, remember to find gratitude and compassion for yourself and others.
My commitment to living wisely and graciously as an adult is ...
(The above is an excerpt from the award winning book, Welcome Home to Yourself.)
Suzanne Kyra is a Registered Clinical Counselor, self-empowerment specialist, workshop leader, international speaker, consultant, and clinical supervisor at the Psychology Clinic with Simon Fraser University, B.C., Canada. She is the author of the award winning book, Welcome Home to Yourself, which is about living authentically in harmony with self and nature. Kyra has over three decades experience in all areas of human development, and is an expert in developmental stages, parenting, intimate relationships, and abundant living.