h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I decided I was an adult when I became more concerned about what I owed the universe rather than what it owed me.

That change of heart can happen at any age, although plenty of folks never seem to get it. As an American, I worry that our culture's emphasis on our 'freedoms' and 'rights' encourages people to remain focused on getting rather than giving, which means never growing up. Being an adult is hard enough without having to fly against society's prevailing wind, but sometimes a gal's gotta do what a gal's gotta do.

And because I've been way too serious here, and being a grownup does not mean being a humourless ol' poop, here's my favourite quote on the subject: 'If you can reach the age of 50 without growing up, you don't have to.'

Interesting idea, but how can you 'give' anything if you don't work at getting it first? Giving does not count if it was not yours to give first.

F S

I'm in agreement there - I think adulthood begins at the epiphany moment when you realise the impact your actions have on others, or that you actually start to care about it enough to change those actions as a result.

**Interesting idea, but how can you 'give' anything if you don't work at getting it first? Giving does not count if it was not yours to give first.**

I agree. I probably expressed my idea badly. The words 'giving' and 'getting' suggest material things, which wasn't what I had in mind. Here's an example of what I did mean:

I live in an apartment building and I decide to play my music a bit loud 'cause it's a sunny day and I'm in a good mood. Folks in apartments just have to expect some noise, right? Alternatively, I want to play my music but remember that the guy above me works nights and is probably sleeping, so I decide to keep the volume down or use headphones. In the first case I expect others to cut me some slack; in the second I cut others some slack.

In short, childhood is all about me. Adulthood is about others. IMHO.

My epiphany moment came when I realised that all of my decisions and actions affected others, that there are no completely 'private' decisions. Even if I choose to drop out of society and be a hermit in a cabin in the woods somewhere, I'm depriving people of any skills I may have. I may not be actively harming society, but I'm certainly not doing anyone any good.

And now I'm going to pipe down because I'm getting WAY too serious here.