Disguise

Hindsight is 20/20. Having a grasp on life and how life works once you've lived it is easy--there's no risk. Regardless of true intention, receiving advice from someone much older tends to ring with an air of condescension. “Look what I've done, why can't you"? The words of advice fall on not deaf ears, but ears of a paralyzed body. The bodies are hearing, listening, wanting to react but stuck in what the world has laid at our feet. True, maybe you see the caution lights blinking ahead of you, but it's much more fun to go exploring for yourself rather than take the safe way home. Youthful energy is a double-edged sword of an eagerness to explore coupled with an anxiety for what the future holds. Which side wins?

As small children we are all raised to believe that the future is a ray of light to be treasured and looked forward to, but life experience soon tells us that the future will certainly come with dark moments. First it’s a pet goldfish dying. Next it's your first heartbreak. Then comes a time when you may have to decide between rent and groceries. Sure, be young, have fun has a certain mantra but why is fun always associated with youth? An 85 year old telling someone to have fun and enjoy their life is very easy because they have finished their story and know the ending. They may have hit a few bumps on the way but probably have turned out to be okay. Even if not, like it or not, death is knocking around the corner and soon the plot will be resolved. Old age equals wisdom, because wisdom is just relief in disguise.