Are We Growing Up or Just Growing Old?

I pose this question to you to ask this second: What does growing up mean? I think we hear this a lot as kids and later in life.  In fact, I think we hear this all throughout our lives and yet, what does it mean?

Does growing up mean:

• Getting old and boring doomed with nothing but death at the end of the road?
• Becoming more mature? Whatever "mature" means.
• Conforming to the thoughts and ideas of others for acceptance?

Now I'm sure it's a mixture of many things but I often hear, "If only things were like they used to be."

Like what??

I think overall that most advances in technology, medical science and culture as a whole are a good thing.  But I do have to warrant that line of thinking with some things that used to be better.

1. Rock Bands.  Are they really any rock bands out there now that were as heavy as their predecessors?  I mean, Keith Moon of The Who used to take horse tranquilizers before shows just to calm him down. Horse tranquilizers?!? Now THAT is Rock n Roll!
2. Chivalry.  Now this is something I do feel is dead sadly.  Where most guys used to open doors for their dates, now it's just unlocking the doors via the remote...classy.
3. Morals.  This ties a little into number 2 because morals and chivalry are almost one in the same.  But not just to ladies and likewise gentlemen.  What about the lack of common courtesy nowadays?  I find it mind boggling that both genders have just a total lack of morals and respect for their peers, strangers and family too.

Some things do get better with age: wine, cheese and a few others but overall, I think the core difference in "Growing Up" and "Getting Old" is slight.  How you view things in perspective is just as important in developing wisdom as age is.  After all, Age is just a number right? ; )