As a child, I was always taught to cherish each day we're here. I know how exciting the idea of being an adult can be -- getting your license, having your first relationship, graduating high school, going to college and having your first legal drink, but here's the thing -- although these activities are great, they are not the things that matter in life.
When I was in high school, it was always about going to the next thing, whether it was a concert, play, test or just being a year older. I remember that when I was a freshman, I could not wait to be a junior, an upperclassman with the ability to go to prom. Then once I was a junior, I couldn't wait to be a senior, the top dog with opportunities I didn't have in any other grade. I couldn't wait to graduate and to go off to college. Now I'm in college and I desperately want time to slow down, as crazy as that may sound.
When we are young, the idea of being a "grown up" is beyond appealing. The journey of figuring out "what you want to be when you grow up" begins at such an early age. It is reflected in the toys we play with, school assignments and even in the questions we're asked at the doctor's office. But what most of us don't realize until we're at least semi independent is being a so-called "grown up" is hard.
You have to be completely accountable for yourself, you have to pay bills, check bank accounts, wake yourself up on time, make sure you're eating at least semi healthily and manage your time so everything you need to accomplish gets done. It's not easy! I long for the days where I could run around pretending I was a princess spy with my best friend, without a care in world.
Today, it seems like everyone is growing up so fast. Children have cell phones and Facebook accounts. Young girls seem to be wearing makeup and heels much earlier than I ever did, and everyone is being taught traditional gender specific "norms" from what seems like infancy.
I don't know who will read this, but here's what I have to say. If you are under the age of 14, go outside and play. Run and draw with chalk, play tag and just enjoy being a kid. If you're 14 through 17, enjoy the time you have still being a kid -- you'll grow up soon enough. If you happen to be my age, 18-20, always remember to be a kid at heart. Life gets serious way too fast, and soon enough, you'll have to worry about rent, bills, more money issues and the societal pressures of relationships. But for right now, you're young.
Make every day special and be grateful to be alive. Stay a kid as long as you can, and never lose that kid spirit.
