Look Back

Growing Up Into Childhood

Growing up is part of life—you cannot skip it. At every stage, you will face distractions, discouragement, and disappointments. Living alone as an adult is no small deal. Suddenly, all decisions fall on you: when to eat, what to eat, what friends to keep, how to dress, when to date, when to marry, and even how to spend your money. Mistakes happen, sometimes repeatedly, and regrets come with them. But even with our imperfections, we can still make the right choices that lead to happiness.

Earlier in this book, we discussed the impact of family, friends, and community in shaping us. Truly, the training, advice, and counsel we received while at home prepared us for adult life. As the saying goes, “Charity begins at home.”

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Dressing and Self-Respect

My father often told us: “The way you dress is how you will be addressed.” He meant that people judge and respect you based on appearance. A decent and modest dress reflects self-respect, while indecency invites disrespect, whether or not it reflects your true character. My mother also reminded my sisters that what belongs to their future husband should not be displayed publicly. Dressing, therefore, is not about impressing others, but about keeping dignity.

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Sexual Morality

One of the greatest challenges young adults face is resisting premarital s*x. We were taught that s*x belongs within marriage, and we saw the wisdom of that. It protects from guilt, regrets, diseases, and broken trust. In contrast, modern culture and celebrities present s*x as casual entertainment, but such choices often lead to broken lives, unwanted pregnancies, and even abortions. Back then, even when a girl visited, we left the door open to avoid temptation. Self-control preserved our future.

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Financial Discipline

We were taught to cut our coat according to our size. We lived within our means, saved for difficult times, and avoided debts just to impress others. Such habits protected us from poverty and taught us responsibility. Even when entertaining friends, we did so modestly.

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The Power of Association

Bad association corrupts good morals. Many young people who left home for university or work fell into smoking, drugs, s*x, or cultism because of friends. Parents warned us to avoid bad company not because they hated our friends, but because they foresaw the consequences. As young adults, we had to apply this wisdom daily.

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Listening to Advice

Finally, one of the most important lessons is learning to listen. Advice is correction, protection, and sometimes even salvation. I recall a man who once told me to pay attention while in a taxi instead of being on my phone. Years later, that single advice saved me and others from an accident. Truly, advice benefits the listener more than the giver.

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Conclusion

Adulthood is not easy. Sometimes we even wish to return to childhood. But life has no reverse gear. We must face adulthood with wisdom, humility, and responsibility. The choices we make in our youth shape our future. Every action has a reaction, and every decision carries consequences.

If we apply the training from our parents, respect advice, live within our means, keep good friends, and remain morally disciplined, our adulthood can be fulfilling. We can marry happily, raise responsible children, and live lives worth remembering. That is the true reward of a well-trained childhood and a responsible adulthood.