Maturity, by John Z.

I believe in my heart that I am more mature than most people. Even with all the things I say and do it is an act. I can see things form many angles and for the most part use that skill everyday. Seeing and respecting other views is a part of maturity, but knowing your OWN is a bigger piece. And I know my views of everything that has ever come up in conversation. Well enough so the only pause is to word it in my own head. What causes this disease immaturity? I have my opinions and I think they are pretty agreeable. I think the influences one receives growing up plays a role in when a person, 10 or 100, becomes mature. Being that they blossom into this new mature being that will better further society. Instead of the 40 year old hate monger that everyone has seen.

HATE is a large part of immaturity, society's own AIDS. I can look back on only 2 or 3 years ago when I would hate. I was, and still am, an average white suburban teen. Yet before I was the way I am today, I hated differences and about it to people that would agree, so I didnt get beat up. But as I sit at my school picnic table I see my mistakes of falling in with the hatred, and how I missed wonderful times with wonderful people because someone different would be there. But I have reached maturity along with many kids, we have openedour eyes to our wrongs. In contrst to hate, respect is important TO have.

RESPECT, this one comes to me every time I ride a sports bus to a game. Its at this point I realize why girls don't like boys ingeneral. Every other topic that is dicussed is one of "Oh-yeh, I'm going to fuck her so hard and she dont even know it." No matter how bad of a day they had everyone smiles, scurries to the edge if their seats and runs down the same list of girls. Wheter you girls know it or not you are the topic of conversation and center of attention at one point or another. It may be the "oh-yeh..." thing or "what a skanky slut!!!" Even if the girl is a virgin. It all boils down to them having no respect.

UNDERSTANING is another aspect of it. Seeing something completely new, different and even strange, and just saying well look at that and letting it be different. Not the simple way of "if it is different it isnt good" mentallity we as a country have seem to of picked up. When a new thing comes along that is different it is thrown away as if it were never there neglected for being unable to fit the mold.

Respect comes from understanding, understanding comes from not hating, and not hating is respectful. I have talked to some people and they have for the most part agreed with the points I have made. So just try it out you might just find yourself in the best place of your life.