"Grow up."
"Act your age." --just a couple things people often say (not to me; OK, sometimes to me). But why?
Don't mistake me, I get it. I understand the importance of learning from things as we get older, and putting that knowledge to use as the years go by. Whatever. But...it leads me to a few questions:
Why is maturity essentially synonymous losing one's sense of humor?
Why is maintaining a sense of humor synonymous with immaturity?
Why can't adults just relax and live life?
Tell jokes, laugh at yourself, have fun...enjoy life to the fullest. Corny cliche, but a necessary reminder, I think.
I've never understood why most people seem to hit a wall in life where they immediately become boorish and lacking in the heartfelt compassion that we possess by the truckload as children.
And don't feed me the load of bull about more responsibilities, bills, etc. That's hooey. If you think you're mature enough to live in responsible situations, be mature enough to roll with the punches and deal with whatever life throws at you.
While reffing several kids' basketball games this weekend, it hit me--adults suck. Half those kids were there because they love to play the game; half because they get to be around their friends. And while various parents lived and died with every call, their child would simply run the other way and shrug it off.
Only adults carry grudges--children are far too wise.
Opinion: Just because you know more stuff, it doesn't make you smarter.
"You're only as old as you feel," they say. Well...stop feeling so old, dummy. Do whatever it takes to feel young. Be a kid--even if just at heart.
Ironic thought: I've never heard a senior citizen complain about being old. Not once. All the 'I'm getting old' rants I hear are generally from people under 30 who don't know what being old even means.
"Respect your elders." - well that's just a given. Do it. Sir, ma'am, please, thanks, and so on. But you know what? Blaming a lack of respect on today's youth is pretty ignorant--and lazy, if you ask me. Do a better job of instilling respect as a parent, and you won't have to complain about it down the road. Simple as that.
Disclaimer: I am almost 25. I feel sore a lot after playing basketball--but I love it. I relish that sore feeling. Makes me feel like I've done something, accomplished something. And besides, better than not feeling anything at all, right?
Few more fun quotes about age...
"Every man over 40 is a scoundrel." - George Bernard Shaw
"None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm." - Henry David Thoreau
"A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age." - Robert Frost
Finally, I'll leave you with a clip of a commercial I've always loved, featuring perhaps the best soccer player in the world, Ronaldinho. I think it's brilliant.
Act whatever age sounds like fun,
Derrick
