How does Happiness Equate to Immaturity?

The other day someone who I know and love said I had alot of growing up to do. Now granted, at any stage of life, there's alot of growing up that's to be done. No matter what age, growing up is just a natural thing that you never get rid of. 80 year olds think the 40 year olds have some growing up to do. And 40 year olds think that 20 year olds have some growing up to do. And ofcourse, 20 year olds think that ... well anyone under the age of 20 has some growing up to do.

When I heard that, it actually sparked my curiostiy. I had to know what caused them to say that. Well, after some investigative work, I found out that I'm apparently... TOO happy. What? I'm being penalized for being happy? As if it's impossible for someone to be THAT happy all the time.. (believe it or not, that's not the first time I've heard that...) So as a brief testamonial to myself, I'm going to say this. For those of you that I work with, who I communicate with, who I visit rarely or even often... chances are that until you have lived with me, you know me... but I don't KNOW me.

I could say without a doubt that a few people really know me, and what I've been through, how I've matured, and what stage of life I'm at. That would include my immediate family, my bestfriend Stacey, a couple of people from HIghschool, and Kyle. Now this isn't to imply that I don't trust or love most of you, but until you've lived with me, you just don't know. Just as, might I add, I have no idea what's going on with or in your life until I've been submerged in it. Until then, you're just a couple of funny quips, some hi how are yous, dinners, drinks, and good times... which isn't to diminish my relationship with you... but if you were to stop and think about who in your life knows more about you compared to others, you would understand what I'm saying.

What you DO know about me, is that I'm happy. I'm outgoing. I can talk to just about anyone. I talk entirely too much for my own good. My mind wanders mid-sentence for no apparent reason. I over think things or under think things depending on my mood and their rate of importance and I can be extremely happy and hyper for no apparent reason. Believe it or not, I think that most of those characteristics are actually quite common amongst most people depending on their mood. I, however, pretty much live in this permanant mood that gives me what you just read. What can I say... I am happy, the world interests me, and I rarely let things get me down in the dumps. I thought that was pretty admirable.

But apparently my sporadic thinking and spastic smiling means that I'm incapable of figuring out what I would like to do with my life, which politician to vote for, or how to hold my fork. I just don't understand why, just because I prefer to play, instead of sitting there with my legs crossed like a lady, that I'm so darn immature?! I don't think I am. And honestly, if I have to sit there with my legs crossed and talk about the weather in order to make you think that I'm mature... then think I'm immature for all I care. Because I would rather be myself and be happy then act in a fashion to satisfy your needs.

My viewpoint is this... Maturity isn't being serious ALL of the time... Maturity is knowing when to be serious and when to be silly. And, situation appropriate, I will play all I want.