At which age do we become too old to relate with today's youth? When does your thumbs switch off MTV for something more relatable? When do we lose track of which rapper is hip? (Who the hell is Flo rida and what on Earth is a Soulja boy?)
I recently attended a show in East Lansing, home to Michigan State University and while I was there, I was confronted by a grim reality, I'm an adult. As I took my seat and began to people watch, my eyes were greeted by a frightful sight of young, hairless, faces on well dressed young co-eds. Then I looked at myself and saw a man in his late 20s, with a receding hairline, beard stubble, wearing a ratty hoodie I bought from the GAP for 15 dollars. (One of these things is not like the other...)
I tried remembering how I viewed life when I was that age...full of optimism, anticipation, all the while care free and enjoying myself. Then I tried to remember when reality set in and the world imposed it's own views onto me, stress, responsibility, and that feeling like you're going nowhere.
For a moment there, I was ready to throw myself over the upper railings and land on some pierced, gel-atinous 19 year old wearing a North Face jacket...I think that is the standard uniforms for the kids these days.
But then I backed away from my anxiety driven jump and started thinking about all the perks that come with being an adult, respect, money (although there never seems to be enough), freedom, and love.
Now love can be attained at any age but it's not always practical. Sometimes its innocent, lustful, careless, or ignorant. Then there is the love that is true, respectful, and virtuous. That can only come to someone who has outgrown their adolescent thinking and stepped into a world of home owning and board game nights. It presents itself to someone who is ready to live for the future not someone who wants to relive the past.
I say all this because without this thinking, I would not be where I am today, with the person I share a life and goals with. I would not have the friends I have today or the insight to write these words.
In short, I'll accept the fact that I have no idea what songs play on TRL anymore or even not knowing if TRL is still on! I'm ok with no longer going through life without a care and only working to pay for my beers because I now have substance in my life and a lot more to live for...but I would take back my 19 year old hair line.
1 comment:
Great post. I've had similar revelations! It can be unnerving. And I admit, I've come to love board game nights. Taboo rocks.
Woa I just remembered an argument that you and I had when we were kids...we argued about whether it was better to say "rocks" or "rules". I can't remember which one I preferred, but I remember it being a heated debate. Haha...kids.
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