Article: “As You Get Older”

As you get older, you begin to zero down on your options. There’s a certain pruning that begins to happen. You begin entering an energy saving mode.

You begin to ignore some things. You become careful as you pick your battles. You will be in the middle of an argument and deep down you wonder; “why do I care?” You stop persisting on things. That time you no longer have. You no longer have the energy to run after unreasonable adults. If you’re driving, you drive at optimum speed, let others pass.

If you ask friends for favour and they’re not coming through , you gradually accept and move on. You stop giving them second attempt. You are in a stage where you realize the world is filled with so many characters.

You begin demanding better treatment. You begin to cherish your peace. Why go to a place with loud music, fully packed, hiked drinks and poor customer service? You realize you can relax better with friend’s at small hangouts.

As you grow older, you sometime reflect on those who have complicated grudges against you. You are now in a stage of; “I don’t give a damn” If you don’t feed me or house me, why should I be concerned about your dimmed opinion of me?

Before you engage strangers in an argument or quarrel, make sure it’s valuable enough to affect the value of the dollar.

As you grow older, you begin attaining some conservatism. You love your things a certain way and you stopped being apologetic. You stopped acting. You become more real. If you don’t own something, you don’t own it. If you don’t have money, you don’t make any false promises.

As you grow older, you begin to see the younger version of you in the younger generation. You look at them doing the same silly things you used to do. You smile, you remember your days, and you become more empathetic. You are almost tempted to tell them; “enjoy your silly moments while you still can.”

As you grow older, you realize that people fade. Things fade. Things don’t last. People die. People give birth. People marry and people don’t marry. People divorce. People cheat. People do good, and people do harm.

As you grow older, your youthful idealism gets refined by realism. You begin to understand your parents better. You realize why they took certain decisions. You realize they fought battles you knew nothing about for your benefit. You become respectful. You begin to value your friends, your family and that sense of community.

The Yoruba adage says a child who did not die young will become an adult (B’Omode o ku, agba nii da). Getting to age is a privilege. Value added with wisdom and new perceptions. I never knew that I would come to love Red Beans. Beans is a big nourishment but youthful attitude wont allow youths see that. I never knew that I would avoid fried foods in adulthood. Who knew that I would fancy amala, èbá, tuwo over fast foods? Who knew that I would long for inner peace? Who knew that I can do without soap operas on TV. Who knew that I would come to love truth and justice, who knew I would come to know and appreciate GOD for what HE truly is? All those realization comes with age.

You get older, you take things at reasonable pace. You find your style, your voice, you make peace with who you are, and who you are not. You are no longer trying to prove a point. No need proving your “tigeritude”. Tigers don’t prove to anyone they’re tigers. There’s no longer need to have the best dance steps. You simply dance and enjoy yourself. You stop competing in clubs and parties. If people want to squeeze in, you let them in. Scandals no longer shock you. Leaders ineptitude no longer shock you.. The vicissitudes of life no longer shock you.

Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma