Growing Up Emotionally

Woman's Book of Courage - Growing Up Emotionally

Though it’s often hard for us to give up the old habit of asking, “Mother, may i?” (or Father, or Husband, or kids), we’re living in an age when we have unprecedented opportunities to make our own decisions, create personal choices – to be ourselves.  As we unravel our emotional dependencies, we learn no one can fill us with confidence, independence, and a sense of inner worth but ourselves, with the ever present help of God as we interpret Her/Him/It.

We may long to return to the fantasy that it’s okay to be emotionally dependent, that some man will or should take care of us.  For to really know the buck stops with ourselves is frightening.  But it’s also extremely freeing to realize we can be independent, confident, and in control of ourselves.  We all are called upon to grow up, to assume responsibility for ourselves.  As grownups we are better able to love independently, and joyfully.

Having the courage to grow up emotionally, letting go of the myth that other people know better than we do, gives us a sense of freedom and self-confidence that nothing else can.  Being grown up, in the finest sense of the term, is a powerful and secure way to live.

I am willing to grow up.
I have the courage to take responsibility for myself.
I listen carefully to myself and make informed decisions.