THE SECRET OF LIFE

Mar 30—2014

Written by

Advice, Inspiration, Philosophy, Teenagers

Met an 18 year- old today who knows it. He was sitting in the lifeguard chair while I swam laps. Never seen him before. Here he was overlooking a pool full of old, white-haired ladies but he just seemed happy up there. He even gave me a big smile and a wave as I was leaving. So, I stopped to talk to him. Turns out he graduates from high school in a few months and has decided to go into the service. Figures it will give him some good training and then help pay for his college.

“Ah, to be young,” I said as I left.
“I really LIKE being young,” he replied.

I stopped for a moment and thought about that. I know a ton of kids his age right now who are scrounging around for phony ID’s and trying to be older than they are. I also know a ton of older folks getting plastic surgery and lying about their ages.

“Wow. You’re a smart young man,” I finally said. “If you are happy being young and just who you are NOW, you will be equally as happy being old when you are old, as well.”

He paused a moment to think about that, too.
“Yeah,” he replied. “I probably will.”

Somebody bottle this kid and sell what he has to all those folks at any age who always seem to want to be ahead of or behind where they are. There’s no going back and you sure can’t skip ahead. Better love who and where you are right now. Frankly, it’s all you really have. He knows that. Do you?

5 responses

Douglas Kroger

March 30, 2014

Great idea! Will never forget your lyric–It’s great to be young and catching the sun! We’re still pretty young, aren’t we? A little young? Old? How could you think that??????!!!!!!!!!!! Love, Doug

LikeLike

Reply
Julie Lynn

April 3, 2014

Amen, sister. My husband, Bob, skis nearly every day the mountain is open. No matter the conditions, he comes home and announces that it was a great day! I try to follow his lead and be thankful and I’m happier.

LikeLike

Reply
Helen Hudson

July 17, 2015

Reblogged this on Agelessly Aging .

LikeLike

Reply
Jack Muschell

July 18, 2015

Beautiful! Way to capture the moment on how refreshing it is to have a positive attitude no matter what age you are! I joined a band a couple years ago. The other three guys are in there 60’s, as am I. The name of our band is “H2Old.” . . . and we have a blast! Cheers to the young man in the lifeguard chair! He’ll be a happy kid, like us, when he’s in his 60’s! If you do what you like, then you like what you do . . . and enjoy life!

LikeLike

Reply
pujakins

July 18, 2015

Hi Helen, I enjoy your blog. Incidentally, I must say that I have a problem with people’s responses to truthfulness about one’s age. I tell people I am ageless, mainly because when I tell them my age they say, “I had no idea you were that old!” Then there’s a big change in their attitude as though I have suddenly become a cripple or a demented person! (Not quite, but you know what I mean) Anyway, I did enjoy this nice piece of writing as I do enjoy most of your blogs. Thanks! Keep up the good work. Tasha

LikeLike

Reply