Barbara L. Ayers -- Author

I'm old, I'm satisfied, and you... were my purpose. From The Last of Us

  Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but about learning to dance in the rain.

In simplest terms, these are found in the ever-developing level of skills in the areas of emotional maturity and critical thinking. A good foundation should be laid by the time an individual graduates high school and should have been facilitated through the efforts of parents, teachers, and the community. Working together, these important influencers should promote just and righteous standards and impart the knowledge that encourages and enables the development of a person’s moral and intellectual bases. These bases are revealed through an individual’s choices, often demonstrated as hallmarks of an individual’s achievements and impacts on society. Choices made in behavior, word use, attitude, and even appearance say everything anyone needs to know about the character and integrity of any individual. Emotional maturity and critical thinking are generally considered the core determinants of future successes and failures and the ability of an individual to learn and grow from these.