It’s a new year, and I know it wasn’t my birthday, but for the first time in my life, I can honestly say I no longer feel young. This isn’t to say that my bones ache or senility is creeping in (although sometimes debatable), but rather that I no longer feel like a young person.
I think it happened when I got my photo driver’s license renewed. The person renewing it (who was about 15 years older than me, I should mention), said, “Oh yah, you look a lot younger in this picture!”
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| My little cousin |
I guess five years does make a difference. Apparently, even a month does. It was only last November that I was ID’d in a restaurant. Of course I was with my much younger 31-year-old cousin – he’s got such a baby face, after all (see picture).
Mine, on the other hand, has turned pale and gaunt after two months of winter and 10 pounds of weight loss since high school. (I’ve heard most people struggle with weight gain as they grow older.)
If there’s anything that reminds me that I’m getting older, it’s my own child. At the pace that kids change, you’re frequently reminded that you, too, must be changing. Until you look back and see that picture of yourself five years ago, you assume you’re the same.
But I’m not down about it. In fact, I often get upset when others complain how old they are (it’s all in your head!). To be honest, I’m much happier now than when I was 20. I know a lot of people look back on their university/college years as the best time of their lives, but I can’t relate. Perhaps it’s my ultra-conservative ways that didn’t allow me to live it up as some do, but the fact is, I enjoy having a job much better than going to school; having a family much better than having none; and having a little more wisdom than when I first graduated from high school.
Speaking of which, isn’t it amazing how different teenagers look than when I graduated? They’re so much younger. They come out of high school with such cute little faces, all eager to change the world. It’s adorable.
I no longer have the naïve views of a youth. But I’m reminded by my own daughter of some of the more important things in life. Things we tend to forget as adults. These are a few of them:
Play. We’ve all heard that play is work for a child, but it’s work that they are passionate about. Not many adults are as passionate about their work or life in general. It’s important to leave the vagaries of life to play. Whatever the activity or sport, it keeps the mind and body active.
Dream. As adults, we tend to have a negative view of day dreaming. It’s considered a waste of time. An active imagination doesn’t tend to get much credit in our world, unless you’re an artist, but even they tend to be looked down upon (why not get a real job??). But an active imagination has produced incredible artistic works throughout history and has fuelled some of the greatest inventions. Perhaps we don’t spend enough time disconnected from our technological devices to let us dream of new possibilities.
Rest. I’ve never cared much for naps, but my daughter often requires a companion (i.e. her father). Taking the time to rest is important. Get enough sleep and you’ll function a whole lot better during the day (never mind my sleeping disorders, but I’ll talk about that another time). Too often we’re guilty of trying to get too much done in a day, without taking the time to regenerate.
Hmmm… Play. Dream. Rest. Sounds like a sappy Julia Roberts movie. Maybe I’ll write my own screenplay. As for now, I’m going to take my government-sanctioned afternoon nap.
