Maturity

Some of our children have been very mature for their age--some not so.  I've never actually looked up the definition of the word, just knew in general what it meant--and how it could be applied to my kids at various times and various situations.  A couple weeks ago my sister in law sent me this, and I thought it was very well stated.

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Maturity is the ability to do a job whether you are supervised or not; finish a job once it is started; carry money without spending it, and be able to bear an injustice without wanting to get even. Maturity is the ability to control anger and settle differences without violence.
Maturity is patience. It is the willingness to postpone immediate gratification in favor of the long-term gain.
Maturity is perseverance, the ability to sweat out a project or situation in spite of heavy opposition and discouraging setbacks; the capability to face unpleasantness and frustration, discomfort and defeat without complaint or collapse.
Maturity is humility. It is being big enough to say "I was wrong". And when right, the mature person needs not the satisfaction of saying, "I told you so". It is the ability to make a decision and stand by it. The immature spend their lives exploring endless possibilities; then they do nothing.
Maturity means dependability, keeping ones word, coming through in a crisis. The immature are masters of the alibi. They are confused and disorganized. Their lives are a maze of broken promises, former friends, unfinished business, and good intentions that somehow never materialized.
Maturity is the art of living in peace with that which we cannot change, the courage to change that which can be changed and the wisdom to know the difference...