I'm no kid any more, and over the decades I've learned that even at my age you can get hurt just like you did when you were a teenager falling in love for the first time. Just like the disappointment of your first real relationship breaking down. Like a job you love not working out. Or just like any other major life changing event.
These things will happen throughout our lives and will most probably have the same impact on us at 40 or 50 as they did when we were 17. The difference is that as we get older, more experienced, and wiser, our recovery time shortens because we have the experience of how to deal with each event imprinted into us.
And, as we get older, we try to pass that learning onto others, so that they understand how to move forward with their lives as well and, hopefully, don't continue to make the same mistakes in their lives.
Also, as we get older, we learn that life isn't about giving in all the time for the sake of others. We realise that “my life is about me”. (It's OK to be selfish for the simplicity of your own growth.)
We say what we think and feel more. We learn that being honest with both ourselves and others is important. The downsides to these things is that not everyone appreciates this. Not everyone has come to that point of realisation yet. So, we say things for our own motivation, and our need to move forward in life and hope that people aren't offended by it too much.
In psychological terms, Maturity is “the ability to respond to the environment in an appropriate manner” and “being aware of the correct time and place to behave and knowing when to act according to the circumstances”. Most of society has trouble with this, as this response is generally a 'learned' response rather than instinctual. I would like to think that my blogs and opinions would have the ability to impart some of my experience and knowledge to others so that they can in turn make more mature life choices.
I feel, however, that until the whole world is able to do all of these things above, and not be directly offended by truth, honesty, and opinion, then unnecessary personal offence to what others say will continue.
But until then, we still need to move forward with our individual lives, and if that means saying what we feel, expressing opinion, and being totally straightforward with people, then do so. If others can't handle that yet, have faith that they will eventually. Or those people obviously aren't supposed to be in your life at this point in time.
And if they aren’t supposed to be in your life right now, they will return at the proper time, mature enough to understand. If they don't, then they only made an 'appearance' in your life to teach you something.
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