The other day, I met my friend’s daughter for the first time. I knew she was 7 years old, but I asked her age, anyway. She didn’t respond by saying, “I am seven.” Instead, she said, “I will be 8 in August.”
She then asked, “How old are you? I told her I was 8 years old…32 years ago.
Recently, I was in line to buy a bottle of wine for a BBQ we had been invited to. The woman in front of me, who looked to be in her late 20’s, was carded by the cashier. She seemed really put off that he was asking to see her ID.
When I stepped up to the counter, he asked for my ID, too. I am NOT in my late 20’s. I was elated.
What do those two stories have in common?
Youths cannot wait to be older, and the mature wish they were younger again.
When we are young, we cannot wait for certain rights of passage. We count down the days until we can get a driver’s license or drink that first beer (legally). But when we get older, we long for those younger days. We start regretting choices we made as kids, like slathering on baby oil while sitting by the pool for hours on end each summer. (Come on, I know some of you did that!)
I’d like to go back and tell my teenage self a few things, like:
1. Love God with all your heart and with all your soul.
2. Save half of everything you make.
3. Invest in Microsoft. (If we’re going back in time, why not, right?)
4. Hug your parents. By the time you are 15, one of them will be gone.
5. Be sweet to the elderly. They are a window to the past.
6. Don’t smoke, not even once.
7. Love yourself.
What would you tell your teenage self if you could go back in time? What do you think your future self would wants you to know today?
I can’t help but wonder what 80 year-old Kristen will want to tell 40 year-old Kristen…
Whatever it is I am reflecting on, I believe in the power of sharing our ideas and thoughts. My life purpose is to have a positive impact on each person I come into contact with.