Grow Up!

Growing up is something I hate. I wish I was like Peter Pan who never grew up and who basically did not want to shoulder the painful responsibilities the world had to offer. I wish I could go back in time and stay right there.

I remember the days when I used to wish that I would finish my schooling fast and why was that? So that I could stop doing homework. Yeah, that was lame. Then I wanted to finish college real soon because I couldn’t stand college – OK this is a valid reason.  Then I was stubborn that I wanted to work and now I whine when I am dead tired while reaching my doorstep.

So why is it painful to grow up? Is it solely because of responsibilities or the fact that the world doesn’t look rainbow colored as we were brought up to believe while singing nursery rhymes? The naïve life that we lived isn’t there anymore. I used to cry when I see birds dying or fishes floating lifeless till I was 14. I thought that it was the worst thing that could happen in one’s life and oops… I was wrong. Now, I have seen live scenarios of people getting hurt. They sure did never teach us to be prepared for all this while we were kids.

I thought my fourth grade friend stealing my favorite pink Minnie mouse pen was the worst sin anyone could commit but had I known how people can backstab, I would have gladly given my friend a box of pink Minnie mouse pens. We were protected from all that’s bad in this world but eventually we learn it or experience it one way or the other.

Maybe this was why God forbade Adam and Eve to eat the fruit of knowledge; to keep them happier but like me and everyone else in this world, they just wanted to “know” stuff.  I am sure after that mistake they probably wished to turn back time too.

It’s not like I laugh now when I see birds or dogs dying, but I have learnt to deal with it. I learnt to harden myself and not be foolish and naïve. I mean we’re living in a world that is filled with terrorism, child trafficking, poverty and wars - not Barney the friendly, purple dinosaur dancing around singing 'I love you'. It’s true that I miss the good ol' days cycling on a four-wheeled cycle wearing a petticoat and getting balls of rice fed to me by my mom, but one day whether we like it or not, we have to accept the fact that life must go on.  Unless we grow up and learn to face the world, I don't think we will ever be able to protect our children and give them the courage to move up in life.