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We are trained to make statements, like, "I am getting old" or "That makes me feel old." Realistically, do you feel this way? I don't.
Tuesday, a vivacious, animated, and youthful man will become president of the United States. Forget his race for a minute, and consider his age and his vigorous aura. Historically, I believe the presidents of the United States have been been on average, about 55 years old. Is it because our culture is so age obsessed, that we no
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Comments
01.19.09
Age and treachery will triumph over youth and skill.
- Anonymous
If I'd known I was gonna live this long (100 years), I'd have taken better care of myself.
- James Hubert Blake
He that has seen both sides of fifty has lived to little purpose if he has no other views of the world than he had when he was much younger.
- William Cowper
To me, old age is always fifteen years older than I am.
- Bernard Baruch
Before you contradict an old man, my fair friend, you should endeavour to understand him.
- George Santayana
Old age takes away from us what we have inherited and gives us what we have earned.
- Gerald Brenan
01.19.09
Yes, I think there is meaning behind the "I'm so old" declaration. And that meaning is Insecurity ...
I've done it myself, countless times. And from what I can gather, I only do it when I am trying to rationalize something new that I desire ... like staying in to watch a movie on a Friday night instead of kicking it at the bars.
Does that make me old? In a way, yes, because my needs are maturing. But at the same time, declaring "I'm so old" is a cop out. It's much better to regognize these changes and embrace them. Because not being that crazy college kid anymore can sometimes be a beautiful thing.
01.19.09
@Ryan - I'm not so sure the meaning is "insecurity." The only thing I miss about being younger is the way I used to look. It can be hard sometimes to deal with the fact that your looks change as you age. However, the rest of me is so much better that I would never want to turn back the clock.
I can't help but wonder if the "I'm so old" comment is more of an "I can't my head around this." It's kind of like, "I don't feel old, but I must be because I'm 20-30-40 years older than this guy."
01.19.09
I agree with GenerationXpert and think that maybe this is a more acute problem for women than men. I got hit with a big realization a few years ago that I wasn't 19 anymore (silly, I know). Really, what I think that meant for me was that I had to adjust to the notion that I was no longer the youngest, hottest person in the room. And for a woman, that can be a tough realization.
01.19.09
Xpert: When people in their 20s say "I'm too old" it's pretty much a joke about our own insecurity with emerging into adulthood. It's not a bad thing ...
You're right, it's about not being able to wrap your head around the whole thing. The transition is awkward, and sometimes difficult to warp your brain around.
01.19.09
As Newb points out though ... I may just be speaking from a guy's perspective.
01.19.09
Working with mainly health care and conservative, traditional clients, I find myself feeling young more often than not. In fact, I often feel judged being the youngest in my field - my boss is 55 and I think I'm the youngest person in my company. Period.
While it's true I might not have the experience that some of my colleagues and clients do, I feel that I'm often viewed in a negative light when in reality, people our age have a lot to bring to the table in terms of new ideas, tech savvy, etc. The only barrier to break is the tradition that older generation is used to.
01.26.09
Age, like time, appears to be both a real and a perception thing. Personally, the older I've become, the younger I feel. I thought I was such an adult at 16 and believed I pretty much knew it all, but now I feel really young - seems to be the more you learn, the more you realise you don't know and thus the younger you feel. :)
With regards to Obama, he's both got a youthful spirit (I know some 22-year-olds who have been middle-aged for years), plus he has a Generation Y speech-writer, Jon Favreau (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Favreau_(speechwriter)) who is the youngest chief speech writer on record.
Officenewb & Xpert: I wonder if women feel older than men because a) we mature faster as teenagers or b)age is associated with ugliness, hence the celebrity/botox craze filling our media. There's a definite fear of age going around.
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