Some Thoughts on Aging

I don't know what happened to time, it seems to move slowly when we go day after day but that is not the case, it is moving quickly like the speed of light and it will move faster as we age. I can still remember turning 15 and now I am 28. I have only two years left until I finished my 20s and that is all I have left, there is no going back to it.  I was looking at my Couchsurfing profile today and the number 27 is no longer there, the number 28 is there now and that extra digit is definitely not a big shock but at the same time, it feels nostalgic all of the sudden to know my 20s is coming to an end soon.

I survived my early and mid-20s and I am on my way to complete this rite of passage to being an adult.  By law, any American over the age of 18 is considered as an adult but if we truly think about it, most 18 year olds are still much like any adolescent walking on the streets; even the people in their 20s has a knack to act like teenagers. Both age groups are trying to figure out life and they will make mistakes in their career choice and relationships at some point. But hey, mistakes are always a part of growing up and a part of being matured.

One thing that aging can do to us is making us a stronger person. If it was not for our setbacks, mistakes, disappointments, and failed relationships, we would not be able to think for ourselves and know what we want in life. Bad experiences can seem like a curse but when we look back they will become a blessing, teaching us how to walk in life and how to live a fulfill one.  The key to personal growth is to always pick ourselves up after we fall down.  Sure, I hit some roadblocks in my 20s and fallen down pretty hard more than I wanted, but I am optimistic for my 30s and 40s and I can't wait for what is to come in those decades as my 20s is setting the roadmap for my next stage in life.  Resilience is the key factor to survive any setback and the more we get knock down and then get up on our two feet, the more we will be a stronger person. What does not kill us will only make us stronger.   

It's true: age is just a number. Just because someone is in their 30s, it does not mean they are capable to live on their own or even ready for a relationship or even marriage. And just because someone is 18, it does not mean they are fully an adult. The point applies to any age group and the only factor that can measure maturity is their experiences.  Have they gone through failed relationships and friendships? Have they become responsible for their own actions?  What action did they take after setbacks? We should not let age define us but in reality it does, what we do in with the number of years define who we are and make us who we are today.  If we want to look back and see our life was a waste, continue to do what would hinder our future growth but if we want to grow as we age, we should make the best use of the time that is given to us and put all our effort in working on becoming a better person.