I hope I die before I get old ~ The Who, My Generation As a junior in high school, this lyric was the motto by which I lived my life. I was 16, I had a part time job, a lettermans jacket, a 1972 Pontiac and a mullet. What little philosophy on life I adhered to was derived from 25-year-old rock-n-roll songs. Man, I was classy. Well, faithful reader, if you would have asked that 16 year old Marcus what is the definition of old, hed have probably thrown a number at you. A number like, oh, say, 30. Well, guess what? 30 has come to stay. Yep, just a few weeks ago, the Big 3-0 rounded the corner, plopped its butt down and refused to leave. And now, 14 years after that teenage version of Marcus drove around listening to The Who, you know what I say to 30? Come on in! Ive been expecting you! Whats that, you ask? Why am I pumped about hitting the age that black helium balloons at Party Warehouse declare to be, over the hill? Let me answer that question with a couple of my own: Why are we so hesitant to move into new stages of life? Why do we have mini-breakdowns every time we turn a number that ends with a 0? Why, after 21, do we stop anticipating birthdays with the child-like excitement of our youth? There is but one reason: We embrace youth and shun agedness. Whether we like it or not, American culture has taught us to always try to look younger, feel younger and act younger. Thats all good and fine, but its a precarious trail to tread. Theres nothing wrong with wanting to look and feel as good as possible, but we shouldnt feel the inevitable moves to the next phases of life need to be done against ones will; kicking, screaming and trying to hold onto the past. As with any hesitation, shame, or dread, the reason for shunning the future revolves around one thing: fear. Weve been taught that our best years have already past, that as we get older, no one will accept us, no one will pay attention to us and well be nothing more than litter thrown out on the roadside by the younger members of humanity. To this I say, Fooey! Ask anyone over 30 if they want to re-live the insecurity, awkwardness and inexperience of their teenage years. You might get a few folks who answer in the affirmative, but Id be willing to bet the majority of us arent in that school of thought. Fear of the future holds us back from embracing all of lifes past experiences. Try reflecting on the past and notice how you have gotten to this point. If youre happy with who and where you are today - why not celebrate the road that has gotten you there? On the morning I turned 30, I received an E mail from one of my best friends, Carrie. Her note was more precious than any tangible gift I could have received, and I think the message is one we can all learn from, no matter our age. It encompasses that idea of glancing in the rearview mirror to see where weve been, but more importantly, focusing on the road ahead. Now, I share her message, in her very words, with you: Today is a good day For turning 30. For feeling great in your own skin, with who and where you are, what you do and with whom you do it. For applauding yourself on the past 29 years yet looking forward, excitedly, at the next 40 or so. For doing whatever pleases you - staying in your PJs, having an entire pizza for lunch, calling a long lost friend or reading through old journals and love letters... For reflecting on the long, hard road to 30 laughing and crying at the various road markers that brought you to today. For remembering that it's okay to not compromise on what you want, what you will accept and what you will not accept. You've certainly earned that right. For thanking your parents - especially your mother for the privilege and goodness of the last 29 years. For knowing that today is just the kick-start to the very best times of your life. Enjoy them - every single one. To my friend I say, Happy 30th Birthday! -Carrie S. 05-02-05 (Carrie, Hallmark aint got nothin on you, girlfriend!) Today, I still believe in Roger Daltreys words, I hope I die before I get old. The thing is, age is no longer a number that, when reached, re-defines who we are. Old is when we stop caring, stop learning and stop embracing the life weve been given. In that case, I choose to never, ever get old. Whether its from my friends words, or just having enough life experience to view things from a different angle, I embrace this station in life. I hope youll spend some time considering the past, the present and your future. Whether you are 9 or 90, take a few minutes to celebrate the place you are, learn from the past and look to the future. And, if you still cant get over the inevitable process of life moving on, hey, its still better than the alternative, right? |
