Growing Up Fast
In the blink of an eye, the people you knew so young are older and wiser. No longer can you call them by childish nicknames. I get it. They grow up fast.
‘You can spend your life closed-eyes. You wouldn’t know the life you wasted. Nor the time lost. There comes a time where we all fulfil our own ambitions. Time passes, people grow and then you wonder where the time was lost.’
Seeing my nephew and niece today was intriguing.
It raised the following statement:
‘They grow up so fast.’
Yes — they’re in the developmental stage of growing up where they are more likely to change drastically from year to year; nonetheless — the change is profound.
Sentences make more sense, and there is an effort at communication with usually unknown family members (we see them only once or twice a year) — a change which I didn’t expect to see so soon.
Relatedly, my cousin in Pakistan commented on my post regarding my new job as Features Contributor for the CUB Magazine (first article here):
She said that she would show this to my nephew (her son) because he has an interest in climate change and renewable energy.
He’s four.
I’m astounded, but instead of the derogatory sense that he isn’t capable — I’m full of excited energy.
I want to see these interests flourish and for all my nephews and nieces to develop their excellent talents.
It’s a month since my Mum’s birthday and while she may be getting older — every day she sees me grow too.
Looking out to my nephews and nieces across the world, I now understand the previously mentioned statement.
For parents, it must be something quite astounding. Fundamentally, you can shape and influence their habits.
My parents raised me right. One man yesterday mentioned about my manners when I was nine, in fact. But, I do think growing up in a golf club environment instils manners too.
Shake hands before you play, be quiet and respectful to others while they play, help look for balls, be courteous and play through the group behind if necessary and shake hands to finish.
It’s more hassle to be rude than to be nice.
I think that’s an important thing to mention about growing up.
As you grow up, you realise the wrongdoings of the world and have your opinion on it all.
Inevitably, there is a lot of frustrated energy that develops.
But, once again — it’s more hassle to unleash that restless energy on others than to be kind.
Empathy is the tool to the universe because everyone forgets it so often.
I reminisce about my childhood with great fondness. A time of discovery and positive habit-building. Lessons for life and experiences to cherish.
There comes a time where you appreciate what your parents have done for you. Mine arrived, in all its glory, when I returned from Austin, but since it’s continued in bursts.
I’m young, and I often forget about those sacrifices but not for long, and I point out my mistakes and apologise appropriately.
Yes — they grow up fast, but we should live our own lives and be there as supportive figures and nourish development where we can.