Society has wickedly and conveniently set an acceptable age limit on
achievements; and because we are not used to challenging norms and
man-made traditions, we have allowed society’s wicked mindset/values rob
us of tangible happiness and good health.
Yes, good health…because so many have become depressed as a result
of being judged based on their age when they have not attained certain
heights in life.
Such heights include marriage, having kids, getting a job, getting an
apartment, leaving home, starting a business, retiring etc. Some have
lost meaningful relationships because they refused to date/marry a far
younger person. Or even far older.
As a society, we have slammed on ourselves ‘acceptable’ ages to
achieve all these. So, if you fail to do any of those at the societal
age limit, you are tagged a failure. It is that bad.
This is not encouraging laziness or lackadaisical habits or those who
sit and chant ‘what will be, will be’ without getting their lazy butts
up to make hay while the sun shines. No.
The point is, age has robbed many people of happiness and liberty. It
has sent many into depressive states. When God has not put limitations
on us, we put many limitations on ourselves.
But God is a God of perfect timing, not of age. He doesn’t look at
your age before he blesses you. He comes at the time of ‘life’, when he
knows you are mentally, spiritually, intellectually ripe for what he
wants to give you.
For some, they believe so much that age is just numbers. It doesn’t
mean anything. It doesn’t define who they are. They say age is not
directly proportional to wisdom. But then, they still judge others by their age.
They look down on younger people without even giving them the chance
to prove themselves.They have this sense of enforcing brotherly/sisterly
rights over young people they do not have any direct affiliation
with.They just want to prove that they are older.
There are still some, who are very embarrassed about their age. They
cannot just reveal it to anyone. It’s not even a direct question to ask
anyone be it acquaintance or colleague without getting an evil eye in
return.
Their age is their best kept secret. When you ask, they answer with ‘why do you want to know?’ ‘Or it’s none of your business’.
There are those who lie about their age to get into certain positions
or to claim juicy jobs. As wrong as it is, those ones believe they have
to reduce/increase their age as the case may be in order to get what
they want.
That’s why there are lots of aged people in the workforce today who are very young on paper but old in reality. There are also those who willfully conceal their age only out of embarrassment. They feel that they are too young or too old.
It was the case in my secondary school when anyone older than 16 in
SS3 was believed to be too old while anyone as young as 14 in the same
class was considered too young.
This made some people hide their true age. The ridiculous situations
and comments such people were exposed to, made them withdraw into their
shell. Thus age quietly became a self esteem issue.
Society tend to expect more from you as an older person. You don’t
get away with stuff that might be overlooked for a younger person. This
happens in the family mostly. Bad or good behavioural patterns are
pardoned based on the age of the one involved.
So, who says again that age does not define us? As subtle as the
topic of age is, it is a very important one. It is crucial to the level
of success or failure one attains in life. It affects one’s mental
attitude.
Why don’t we all break lose from the bondage of getting embarrassed
about our age? Why can’t I tell you my age at our first meeting? Whether
it’s a man/woman relationship or mere acquaintance?
No matter how much we hide our age, age will still tell on us. Trying
to prove we are older or younger than our chronological age has not
added any physical benefits to us.
OK, maybe I am missing something here. But please I need to honestly
know, what is it about age that gets people embarrassed? Do you feel
your present age is a barrier to your happiness? Has your age ever set
you free in a life and death situation? Do you weigh your success based
on your age and feel happier if you get things done at a younger age
than if the reverse were to be the case?
How old are you sef? I will be reading the comments.
Photo Credit: Ieva Geneviciene | Dreamstime.com
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