Adult Development

TABLE 1 Levinson's Stages of Adult Development Age Levinson's Stage 17–33 Novice phase of early adulthood 17–22 Early adult transition 22–28 Entering the adult world 28–33 Age-30 transition 33–45 Culmination of early adulthood 33–40 Settling down 40–45 Midlife transition 45–50 Entering middle adulthood 50–55 Age-50 transition 55–60 Culmination of middle adulthood 60–65 Late adult transition 65+ Late adulthood

These stages are generally accepted by researchers today in seeking to explain and evaluate adult development.


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These years of middle adult hood are so beautifully sobering. Recently I have become more aware of the effects of turning 50years of age. This happens for me this year in May. The transitions that are so normal can often leave one thinking that error is everlasting. When we look at our lives and see that it is different than we might of envisioned we are left with a healthy realization that reality differs. It is the visualizations of early/middle adulthood that gave me the stamina to attain my goals. Many have been met, however over the years it is that many of my goals were left to the wind. At times these goals were ones that God differed in HIS design for my life. At times the consequences of my own choices effected my goals. Those choices of others also effected the design. Altering it into the realities of today.
Reality is this is my life today, grieve it and love it. Celebrate the success and try to accept the faults and foibles. Learning always. Remembering lessons of right doing and standing. The power of kindness.

Maturity at this point in life I believe is the old knowing the difference of the things that I can change or not. Accepting the reality with grace, humility and gratitude...well that brings a peace. That peace removes the bitterness of goals and dreams that have altered or been left unmet. The errors of early and middle adulthood can grieve a soul, forgiveness can heal it :)

Turning 50 will be a real age of transition for me. It is a hard thing to look back at life and not kick yourself in the fanny at the 'only if insight were foresight'.  Oh to the youth. If that wisdom of age lived with character could just be chosen. Lives would be so sweet for them. Even in the transition on hindsight life is covered with mercy.