Growing Up

Okay. So let's face it.

WE'RE ALL GROWING UP.

"WHAT?"
I know, right?

I mean, right now, we're older than one second ago.
And right now, we're older than when we read (or typed) the last sentence.

We're all growing up!
By the time you would have finished reading this post, you're older than when you had begun.

Well, I was never concerned about this until a day ago.
I was just sitting in the car, on my way back from school, and wondering about the birthdays in line. Though it's completely unnecessary here, it's my birthday this weekend. And two days before mine, my best friend's. And four days before mine, another best friend's. So I was just sitting and recalling the dates I always confuse, when I realise that my best friend whose birthday is two days before mine turns 18 this year. Another best friend too. And one of the friends I made in the past year turned 18 a couple of months ago. And it's mind-boggling. I mean, we were all kids just last year. And now a few of us are officially adults. We get to exercise our right to vote. We get to drive.

Just about five minutes before I started writing(typing) this, I had another thought. So we're growing up. And age is just a number. But this number is so important to us. In one of my earlier posts, titled The Marks Card, I spoke about how that one set of numbers shouldn't really affect the way you behave or act. But turns out, there's another number that governs that for you.

Think about it. Say you're 17 today. What's your opinion on birthdays?
Well, I might get excited about it, but otherwise, it's just another day.
Now, you're a 6-year old. What's your opinion on birthdays?
BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
See? That's how this number is changing us.

As a kid, I used to LOVE doing stuff. I loved dancing, singing, and doing anything you asked me to. I remember this video where I crawled between two pillows my Dad placed in a triangular position without making them fall. Man, I was so excited. Today, that's just... stupid. Why would I shout like that?
And as much as I regret thinking that way, I can't help myself. We've all let ourselves be governed by what society thinks is acceptable for a particular age that we forget who we are on the inside.

I won't deny the advantages growing up has. For me, this has had so many good things. I discovered my passion for writing, I learnt that the best form of love comes from those who are deprived. I couldn't have done that without growing up. Face it- which 6-year-old would fight for Animal Rights?
But growing up shouldn't have had its standards. I don't like it when people say an 18-year-old should behave like an 18-year-old.

Is it a criminal offence for an adult to act like a kid?
Not as long as it poses some potential threat to life, property or the well-being of another individual.

Then act like a kid, na?
So what if you're 18, or 40, or 70?
Why act like who you aren't where you can be who you are?
I mean, your people have accepted you for you. So at least be yourself around them?
You need to stop thinking about what society will say, always.
Think about that, it's alright. But always? Seriously? Please don't.

Please.
Just be yourself.
Be a big kid now, not an adult.
You're amazing that way.

Racing Against Time

Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock.

"Welcome to the race against time.

Your duty is to move so fast that your track senses more fear than it ever has.

This is not a race, it's life.

Good luck, amigos!"

That being said, the ten racers took their positions at the base of the rugged track.

It was a two-minute race. Yet, all the racers had learnt not to underestimate the impact they could leave on their terrain. In two minutes, they could bring tears down the eyes of the surface. In two minutes, they could give everyone in the arena goosebumps- even the thinnest spectator could freak out over its intensity.

Trrrring!!!

Two minutes!

The race had begun. Hands moved faster than they ever had. If these racers were driving amidst the traffic in densely populated areas of the world, boy, the government would earn so much revenue in a small while! On the other hand, though, this speed could kill thousands. 

The two-minute race was not adrenalin-filled for no reason. The obstacle course had way too many obstacles. You wouldn't know when a boulder would appear in front of you. The architects' skill was phenomenal. Every obstacle would blend so well with its surroundings that even the most careful racer would have to face a skipped heart beat at least once in the entire race.

The biggest obstacle, though, was the huge, almost-conical wall in the exact centre
of the track. Every time the racers would reach this wall, an external force would come and sweep the racer off the road. It would be game over for that racer.

(The track can feel every thing on it, mind you.)

One minute left!

The racers went into turbo mode. More racers would come from behind any moment now. They HAD to win, no matter what be the outcome. They just had to.

This sudden acceleration sent goose bumps all around the field. Every single spectator looked in anticipation to see who had won the race. Everyone stood up from their seats in silence. The world was empty.

Salty had won.

Okay, class. Time's up. Hand in your papers to me this instant.

The race against time was over.