“Adolescence is a false concept because adolescence is ‘permission’ for an adult to behave like a child while claiming the benefits due an adult.” —- Rabbi Daniel Lapin
These words may seem inconceivable at first blush, however, experience teaches us another perception giving it more reality than first thought. It has become increasingly obvious in more places than once conceived, how the manifestation of adolescent behavior by what might be recognized as functioning adults . . . has strongly increased. In addition, it truly doesn’t matter in what context this is defined. We experience the adult behaving like a child in more areas of our lives than ever before, and asking why may be an exercise in futility. Perhaps a key in resolving this question lies in the words of Abraham Maslow, “What is necessary to change a person, is to change his awareness of himself.”
How then is it possible to change an individual’s awareness of himself, if he or she doesn’t know who they really are in the first place? Therein lies the eternal question of self-awareness, consciousness of being and mindful reality. In the last analysis, many people don’t know, that they don’t know. Once again . . . we are all products of our environment and orientation whether we wish to admit it or not. In some instances, select individuals have overcome their up-bringing etc., and have discovered a better way, giving them the vision for a different direction in life. We’ve all met those people who are fundamentally transformed from their root beginnings, to a life created on sound principles, values, viable experiences, and an amazing grasp of exactly who they are and where they are going. As an educator, I was grateful for the many opportunities afforded me in dealing with young students just beginning their journey in life’s experiences. It was always evident that there existed those select pupils that had an innate sense of themselves, and the curiosity to question without hesitation, the why in the nature of almost everything they discovered unique to their conscious-awareness in the moment. I always considered it a privilege to witness this phenomenal growth in the adolescent remembering the words of Soren Kerkegaard, “There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” My experience with these students was immensely fascinating and always rewarding, due to the continuing curiosity and challenging perspectives put forth.
Receiving benefits in this life’s journey because of adult status, is a false positive. The bottom line is . . . there exists no free rides. Ultimately, you will be found-out in one way or another should you not be genuine, honest or authentic. Perhaps not in the immediate present, but in the least expected moment via an event, a visit, a call, a text, an e-mail, or a conversation. The mask will be ripped away and the words of Raymond Charles Barker will resound with abandon . . . “What you are is what you have done with the why you are. The Universe doesn’t operate by chance. We are all self-conscious beings with a gift to share. How we share that gift determines the quality of our lives and the memories we leave behind.” JLR