“Personal maturity is not measured by what a person has achieved, but by the ability to face life’s challenges with integrity.
Carlos Llano
Last week I had the privilege of participating in the presentation of the book The Conquest of Maturity, along with Rocío Mier y Terán and Sergio Sarmiento. The authors are Francisco Ugarte Corcuera and José Antonio Lozano Diez (Ediciones Rialp, 2024).
The book presents us with a deep reflection on the process of achieving authentic maturity, which not only implies physical or intellectual growth, but also a comprehensive transformation of the human being. For the authors, an internal conquest is required, a constant work of self-knowledge and self-control. (Know yourself and master yourself…, it’s easy to say).
We then understand maturity not as a destination, but as a journey; a process that is closely linked to the commitment to deep values and the ability to assume responsibilities with freedom and generosity and, I would add, to take this journey even with good humor (“struggle is good,” English speakers would say).
The book explores the idea of maturity, as a continuous process of inner growth, beyond the simple passage of time. Let’s remember, there are those who have 20 years of experience, and there are those who have 20 years, but seniority and it is not the same, they are not equivalent concepts. Seniority involves doing the same thing continually, repeatedly, without variation; while, experience entails learning, the development of skills, and internal growth.
The authors agree that maturing is not simply a matter of aging, but of personal development through three elements: knowledge of oneself, the continuous struggle to acquire virtues, and the ability to respond appropriately to life’s responsibilities.
Ugarte and Lozano insist that maturity is not just about external success or meeting social expectations, but rather an internal process that transforms our way of seeing the world and relating to others. It is a path that requires a lot of work, constant effort and deep reflection.
Being mature means being able to make free and responsible decisions, understanding that each choice has an impact on our lives and the lives of others. Only a mature person can act with authentic freedom, since this – freedom – is not a mere ability to choose between options, but the ability to choose the good, even when it is costly or challenging (and that, the truth is, is not easy ).
The book also addresses emotional maturity, an aspect that the authors consider fundamental. A mature person does not let himself be carried away by his impulses or fleeting emotions, but is able to regulate his affections and behaviors based on his values and long-term goals. Emotional maturity, according to Ugarte and Lozano, is essential to build authentic relationships and to face life’s adversities with strength and balance…, and good humor.
The Conquest of Maturity is a work that invites you to reflect on the importance of working on your own personal growth. The authors emphasize that maturity is not a state that is achieved automatically with age, but rather a daily achievement that requires effort, commitment and a constant orientation towards good. It is a continuous process of self-knowledge, development of virtues and responsibility that allows us to live a fuller and freer life.
I end with an invitation to read, enjoying and taking advantage of this book, written with clear, but at the same time reflective, language; It has a practical and humanistic approach.
They say that they once suggested to the poet Carlos Pellicer that he take a speed reading course, to which he replied: “Speed reading? No, thank you very much, I like to read slowly and enjoy what I am reading.” This is a book that, whoever reads it, will not only enjoy it, but will also reflect and be able to improve their own maturation process.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Maturity Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have a special guest, a renowned expert in personal development and maturity, Dr. Laura Peña, who has extensively studied the concepts presented in the new book, The Conquest of Maturity, by Francisco Ugarte Corcuera and José Antonio Lozano Diez. Dr. Peña, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Peña: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important topic.
Editor: The book emphasizes that personal maturity goes beyond mere achievements. Can you elaborate on what authentic maturity really means?
Dr. Peña: Absolutely! Authentic maturity, as the authors suggest, is less about accolades and more about our ability to navigate life’s challenges with integrity. It’s about inner growth, self-awareness