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Destination
Inspiration
July 2008
Admission To
Adulthood
By Lisbeth
Anne Marín
Motivational
Speaker
Professional
Development Consultant
When
does the invisible switch flip signifying our official induction into
adulthood? Does it happen on your 21st birthday, is it on
your wedding day, when moving in to your own apartment, or with your
first child? Maybe it happens perchance on some unknown milestone date
in each of our lives? I’m of a mind to believe that if we aren’t paying
close attention, it might just sneak right by us, to be revealed in some
epiphany or ‘aha moment’.
Do
you remember a vintage TV commercial where the kids would call to the
mom from somewhere off camera? ‘H e y M o m, I s I t s o u p
y e t ?’
I always wondered at what point it became soup. Did it happen when you
opened the packet, added the water or heated it up? It might have been
when you mixed in custom ingredients or served it in a fancy bowl? That
snippet of advertising history ranks right up there with ‘where’s the
beef?’ and ‘plop-plop fizz-fizz’. It became a catch phrase that still
has recognition today. Its relevance conjures up of that age old
question... When will I be all grown up?
Certainly,
the accumulation of experiences and responsibilities are signs that the
happy-go-lucky days of youth are gone. My son just turned 18 and
suddenly fancies himself all grown up...no job, no car, no changes that
I can see. For sure this can’t be adulthood but according to the laws
of the land he is now responsible for his actions, can vote, go to war,
buy restricted video games and go to a strip club… I surmise those
things signify adult behavior to some. To me…not so much! Legal
adulthood and authentic adulthood are horses of a different color.
Recently
I’ve had occasion to review many of my mindsets and lifelong rules of
thumb. Out of the blue, it’s become clear that I’m no longer subject to
amending these fundamental ways of life. I believe in God, period…no
further discussion is required to persuade me otherwise. I have a food
addiction, just look at me and you’ll know…therefore visits from the
food police are no longer permitted in any venue of my life. The
thought of entering a new relationship now comes with the crisp
realization that I’m not willing to kiss any more toads, thanks just the
same. Just because I’m alone doesn’t mean that I’m lonely. I truly
love solitude and am never at a loss for something to occupy my time.
I’ve also decided that working with people who maintain a loose
interpretation of integrity sets off a parade-field of personal red
flags...I just don’t do it and I don’t plan to modify that approach. As
for a temper, I’ve got one and I ain’t afraid to use it, so don’t make
me have to go there because I’ll go there without much provocation. How
about you, have you decided, are you soup yet?
A
recent milestone event signaled my official induction to watertight
adult status. It happened when I took on the role of primary caregiver
for my 81 year old Mother. In the blink of an eye lifelong roles were
reversed and it became undeniable. Certainly I can choose to modify my
day to day presentation by tweaking the ingredients. In fact, I’m
rather fond of sprinkling cheese or crackers into my soup… but the core
recipe is completely developed. I am fully able to accomplish all that
is required of me and am prepared for the challenge of irrefutable
adulthood. Regardless of the circumstances, my personal credo is
steadfast and unwavering.
As
it turns out…my ‘aha moment’ emerged without much fanfare or flourish.
Just like that, at last it’s clear, I am soup!
Lisbeth Anne
Marín is a Motivational Training Consultant and Public Speaker specializing
in interpersonal and organizational development skills. She presents a
wide array of staff development training programs, motivational seminars
and interactive human-resource training workshops. To view the topics
on which training programs or private consultation can be provided,
please visit the website: www.lisbethanne.com or call Lisbeth at
910.867.3163 to discuss your staff development goals. The website also
features a gallery of award winning designs along with a schedule of
classes and complimentary Business Seminars that are presented to the
public through the Center for Business and Industry at FTCC. |
