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Show FOR AND ABOUT TEENAGERS By C. D. Smith The Business of Becoming an Adult just wait KW'ljV' I) for a magical day, Cinderella- j fashion. The world goes on its ; way and leaves stranded those who wait on the sidelines. So, this advice to the teenager waiting wait-ing for the magical age of 21, or IS, or j whatever age they anticipate will bring adult privileges: "Dnn't wait j you're wasting your time. Get into the ' spirit of things about you. Put your mind, your energy and your talents to t work in every way to be a part of the ! world that is about you. If you wish I to live happily in this world, you must j be a part of it an active part. You ! must contribute something of value and find your own place." Age alone Is no passport into the so-called "adult" world. Each of us must prepare his own way. We earn this place, not by oay-dreaming, oay-dreaming, nor slipping through a i back door but rather by growing grow-ing into mature and responsible persons, by learning to live in the adult world because we have learning by living. ..not by waiting. If you have a temaje problem you j want to discuss, or an observation to make, address your letter to Foil Wit ABOl'T TKENAGEHS. NATIONAL WKKKI.Y NEWSPAPER SERVICE. tRAXKFORT, KV. Many a teenager, in a moment of anger or distress, has made the remark, "Just wait until I'm 21 there will be some changes made." For generations, age 21 has been considered a turning point in life the attainment of adulthood. Voting privileges at 18 took a bit of lustre from the magical figure 21, but it rt-muins rt-muins a long-awaited day for those who are growing up . . . the day when miracles happen and the world sud denly realizes that there is a new adult in its midst. Such, of course, is make-believe. Nothing really happens when the age of 21, (or the age of 18), is attained. A birthday Is observed; another page torn from the calendar; calen-dar; but nothing else. One cannot "grow up" watching the calendar. We "grow up" through the process of living and learning, day-to-day. There is no sitting on the sidelines, waiting |