Last Sunday, I went to a coffee shop with my 17-year-old sister. Even though it was a weekend, there were a lot of students spending their afternoon with their textbooks, laptops  or tablets. Upon entering, I realized that I was probably the oldest person there with the exception of a few coffee shop personnel. I had just turned 28 last July and the truth is, at that moment, I felt OLD. Not merely because of the fact that I was surrounded by people about 10 years younger than me, but because I was reminded of a time when life was a little less complicated. I wish that I had appreciated those days more back then.

Ah, those days… For most of us, our biggest dilemma was getting through from one class to the next. Back then, even if you had failed a class or two, you were able to move on and still felt invincible. Post college graduation and now into our 20’s, we’re more careful and less ‘reckless’. We naturally reach maturity and gain a sense of responsibility, which is supposed to be a good thing. There are days, however, when I wish I could just go back to being a teenager or better yet, a kid again. Not in the physical sense, (although, most people tell me I look ten years younger than my actual age and this has always mostly been an advantage) but to a certain state of mind.

Kids have a sparkle in their eyes. They’re curious, happy and always have a sense of adventure. Sometimes, I look at other people and see if they still have that sparkle. I look at myself in the mirror and try to see if I could also find it in me. Sometimes I see it, sometimes I don’t. When I look at young children and I see it in their eyes, I am reminded that I still have mine and that I can choose to keep it too.