Wear Your Youth Like An Outdated Badge

By ALICE O’BRIEN Alice O’Brien Counselling, Newmarket

Last week at work a directive came from above- we were to renew our identity badges. A photographer was dispatched and we all duly lined up. Now, we all know the importance of photo ID but around here most people would know the last three generations of your family, so a photo seems over-zealous.

My photo ID up to last week was taken in 2000. I was 22 years old. I wore my youth around my neck with pride, my eyes were shining with wonder- not a crows-foot to be seen. I had blonde curls in place of my grey hairs now and I was full of hope for the long career that lay ahead of me.

But, much and all as I valued that picture, there is such an honour in having a few miles on the clock. Some of the advantages include:

• A greater sense of acceptance for self and others. When we are young, we don’t know ourselves or who we think we should be, so we try desperately to fit in, to impress others. And in our youth we can be a bit judgemental - we think we know people, we don’t have the experience to see the depth of a person.

• We develop a happier outlook as we age. We can connect more meaningfully with others as we don’t worry about trivial things. We know what makes us happy and we are not afraid to prioritise that.

• With age comes experience, we gain a wisdom that we didn’t have in youth. As they say - you can’t put an old head on young shoulders.

I was also keenly aware of my colleagues and friends back in the year 2000 - and those who are not here now to renew their badge. Life is precious and we cannot take age for granted- age is an honour that is not bestowed to everyone.

Having said all that, I may conveniently misplace my new badge and continue to fool myself that I am that 20year old - just for a little longer.