"Youth is wasted on the young" ~~George Bernard Shaw
What I could do if I was 20 again and knew what I know now.
I think that at times.
But am I right? If I had a young body again that could do the things so easily that I have to work so hard for now, would that be enough? Or is there more to being young than just the young body?
I believe there is. There's a fearless freshness to young people as they go out to face the world and wrestle it into the the image of their dreams. They're not troubled by the "been there, done that" apathy that can overcome us as we age. They're filled with excitement at what each new day will bring.
I have to work at that. Hard.
As much as I think I'd like to be 20 again, I wonder if I could really do it the justice it deserves.
This is actually an issue a couple of my characters deal with in the project I'm editing now. What would they do if they could be young again--not go back and live their old lives again but go back and live a new one, still keeping all their knowledge, experience, and memories.
Do you ever wish you could get back some of the years that have gone?
On an aside, this is my 300th post. Wow.
Very interesting insights on youth. I don't think I would go back in time if I could at this point because I've worked so hard to get to the age and maturity level that I am. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to look back and remember certain memories but it's the future that counts. We can't change our past but we can make our future better from things that have happened in the past.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Congratulations on 300 posts! That's quite a milestone.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would love to do some things over, based on the knowledge I have now, but I try not to dwell on it, as it gets me nowhere. And the thing of it is, I'm generally pretty happy with who I am and where I am now, and if I did some things differently, would I be the same? Hmmmm.
I recently had an opportunity to observe some girls in their young 20s. For just a moment I was envious of the way their hair was combed and smooth, their clothes cute and fit great on their slender bodies. they didn't have wrinkles or gray hair or look tired or have 8 bazillion bags and kids pulling on them. But even with all of that I realized I wouldn't go back. The experiences I've had are too important. And even if I could take all my learning with me the thought of doing it all over again makes me tired. I'm happy being where I am. I wouldn't go back for anything. Though I could take a lesson from their enthusiasm and energy.
ReplyDeleteIf I could go back I and do it again I would not let fear of failure rule my life. I didn't understand when I was younger that failure is just a way of learning to do things the right way...not something to be ashamed of.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 300th post! What an accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteNO I don't want to go back to youth...seems somuch more complicated to grow up these days...but YES, I want to go back if I knew then what I know now...is that possible?
I love that Shaw quote.
ReplyDeleteI work with teenagers, and their energy is palpable. The enthusiasm of youth always impresses me. The lack of focus, not so much.
I like to look back, but I don't think I'd want to go back. I feel like my decisions were the best I could make at the time. I don't beat myself up for the bad choices, because even those have helped me grow.
Congrats on 300!
Woohoo for 300 posts! :) Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have the energy of my youth, especially having to chase after a toddler, but I wouldn't want to be 20 again. I'm happier being older than I was young.
ReplyDeleteWow is right. I'm with Christine - I would take the energy and ability to do certain things easier, but not the rest of the carp.
ReplyDeleteHmmm ask me in another 15 years of so and I'll let you know, as I surely don't want to ever go bac to being a teenager..haha
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 300 posts! If I could go back in time I would try to be a little more fearless and a lot more appreciative. Julie
ReplyDeleteNot anymore. I did. For a while, because I didn't like some of the things that happened along the way. I thought about different choices I'd make. Then, I realized that those choices were part of the journey. Now, I can embrace life. I can approach it with the same fearless enthusiasm of a 20-something. I might falter and slip back into my old ways of thinking. But, my inner child wants to go out and play.
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
No! Especially my teen years. Go through all the angst? Not mine but that of everyone around me? Not a chance.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty happy where I am now! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that just about everybody must have thought that at some time or other. I'd love to go back and not make all the mistakes... but those mistakes are what has made me what I am so it wouldn't be me going back. I'd be turning into someone else and maybe I'd make different mistakes, worse mistakes. On reflection I'll stay where I am (like I have a choice!)
ReplyDeleteA to Z of Nostalgia
Well done on your 300th post!
ReplyDeleteI've always thought I'd love to go back to my late teens/early 20's and change a lot of things. All my actions were so self-destructive and out of character compared to who I was before and who I am now. If I were to go back and "re-do" my early 20's with the knowledge I have now, I'd spend more time writing and less time wasting my life in nightclubs with drunken idiots!
I'm happy with my life but would love it if my body thought it was still 20. Congrats on 300 posts!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the 300th Donna! And Shaw had it right...at least the way I see it now. When I was young I wasted youth...there is no winning.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 300 posts!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I need to be young again... granted I wouldn't mind going back and spending a few days in high school and college. Both of which I really enjoyed. :)
Sometimes I do, but like you said, I don't think I would do it justice. I did quite a few things back then that are cringeworthy when I think of them now, but I wouldn't change it for the world. If I had today's knowledge then, I would have missed out on experiences that made me who I am today.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the 300 posts! Love how you snuck that in at the bottom. (I know snuck isn't a word, but it works!)
Melanie