Yesterday I was talking to an elderly man in line at CVS, when he turned to me and said:
"So what are ya up to this weekend, partyin'?"
At first I was a little taken aback because his question was so out of the blue. But then without very much thought I responded:
"Well maybe, I don't know. I'll probably study, I'm not sure what else yet."
To which the man scoffed and said:
"Sheesh, youth is wasted on the young." And he turned back forward in his spot in line. That was it. He ended the conversation. Now, it wasn't the first time I've heard that saying, in fact I've gotten a fair dosage of it in my life. Mostly from my high school choir teacher who's a Vietnam War Vet. But that's another blog post...
The point is, I'd never really considered it before, but this old guy really got in my head. It wasn't the words he used, it was the way he used them. He had such disdain for the fact that going out and partying was even the slightest possibility for my weekend plans.
I have to admit that my immediate thought was actually a little bit of shame because this old man was judging me. But then I realized that I do not even a little bit agree with the sentiment:
"Youth is wasted on the young."
Nope.
"Youth is for the young."
Youth is for screwing up and learning so that you can grow up to be old and wise. Young bodies are for playing sports and falling down. Running around for hours. Doing stupid stuff and being okay afterwards. Then when you're old, you know what's up because you've been around the block. You've gotten your fill of all the stupid stuff because you were young.
Maybe I'll feel differently when I'm old, but for now, I think I'll be at least a little reckless. I'm young. I can handle it.
Yeah I feel that youth is definitely meant for the young. With age comes wisdom, and that wisdom is achieved through experiences and through doing things...especially stupid things. Who knows, maybe someday we'll understand what that old guy meant.
ReplyDeleteI think youth is for the young at heart! Hell, I'm 20 years old and was in denial when my teenage years came to a close. I never want to be an age where I scoff at going out and having a good time with my friends - Maybe when I get older the "good times" will be a little more tame (.. or maybe not). But, either way I don't want to use my sense of youth and wonder!
DeleteI think that's the problem with a lot of adults, as well as a major contributor to their unhappiness. My dad turned 50, got a tat and a Harley, quit his corporate job to start his own business, and dropped 40 pounds (granted, I yelled at him to do that). But, he has never been happier! He rediscovered his desire to explore and have fun with his life... the same desire I have at age 20. I can only hope I never lose that sense of adventure!
I completely agree with you! Youth is meant for the young and we can choose what we do with it. Whether we party or spend our time planning out our futures, at least we are capable of doing whatever we want before we have to go into the "real world". I do think that when you are older you will be jealous of the people you think are "wasting" it, like the old man was. Maybe we will get what he means when we are in his shoes, but until then.. be reckless!
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