At what age are our best “times” in life?
Some people say it's the innocent childhood, some say it's the passionate youth, and some say it's the golden age... It seems that we are all envious of the things that we long for, which could either be in the future or the past.
I have lived five decades of my life, and I will use my experience to sum up how I see my wonderful years. Yet in summary, there is no such thing as "best time”. The past cannot return, and the future may not come. Living in the present is the best approach to life.
There is no perfect time. The best time is now.
The Age of Innocence
In childhood, I was full of curiosity about the world and full of love for everything. I did not know what pain was, did not know what sorrow was, and I was free without restraint.
For all of you little boys and girls, how many of you feel adults have lost their innocence? Believe only you are the real people, innocent and complete in personality. Hoping that when you grow up, you can still maintain that innocence, not forget your curiosity, and still be willing to love the world on days when you are overwhelmed with pain and sorrow.
We have all been through this stage, and we were all innocent before.
The Age of Passionate Dreams
When I was twenty years old, I was in the prime of my youth. High-spirited and passionate, my eyes were full of possibilities, and my mind was full of passionate dreams.
For all of you twenty years old, the world is yours. You, young people, are full of vigour and vitality, like the morning sun. This age has the most beautiful you, a brave dream chaser. No matter how many setbacks you encounter, you have no regrets, and you will not give up easily.
To fight, to rise, and to live the way you like.
The Age of Responsibility
On the shoulders of the thirty-year-old, I was no longer alone but a father with a responsibility to shoulder. I have a family to support and children to raise.
At thirty, your parents are getting old, and you are either in the process of finding your other half or have found your life partner. You will have to shoulder the responsibility of a grown man taking care of your parents or the new family you have just created.
This is the time to have an independent mind, know what you want and what kind of person you want to be, not be controlled by anyone, and face all difficulties calmly.
The Age of Enlightenment
At forty, I have tasted all the flavours of life; joys, pain, disappointment and sorrows. Things that I used to value in the past are no longer essential to me, things that I couldn’t let go of before are now relieved, and the worries I couldn’t get around are now peaceful and calm.
When you come to this age, you will gradually become enlightened, no longer worry about things outside your control, and no longer feel lost for people who are not important in your life.
Your worries will be relieved, and everything suddenly becomes clear.
The Age of Meaning
Reaching fifty, after half my life had gone, I gradually understood the meaning of life and how I would want to live my life.
When you understand the true meaning of your life, your mind will be relieved. “Whatever you are destined to have, you will get it; whatever you are destined to miss, don’t force it.” You will come to a stage where you are no longer obsessed with fame and fortune, no longer entangled in success or failure, and finally can face life with an open mind and a positive attitude.
The Age of Retirement
At sixty, I will have to face retirement. While I do not know what more to expect, this would be the time for me to put down all my worries and begin a new phase of life after decades of work. I have experienced a lot, my mind is naturally broad, and I can tolerate people and things. Because I understand: the world is my own and has nothing to do with others.
At retirement, you only need to do what you like. Do not go beyond the moral rules of the world; spend the rest of your life according to your preferences and not at the opinions of others.
You have already experienced the ups and downs of life, and through your retirement years, you should constantly hone your body and mind. Turn your life experience into wisdom and character improvement, guiding future generations to live every moment and every day well. Live the moment!
The Age of Death
There will come a time when all of us have to face death. I do not know when mine will come or what I will be by then, but I know as long as I am a decent person in this life. I can look up to the sky and say I have no regrets.
A person's greatest success is to be true to his beliefs and to live his life the way he likes till the day he dies.
Life is short, and time is precious, seize the time to do what you like and live meaningfully for yourself before your time runs out.
No matter what age you are, there is beauty that cannot be replicated at that age.
Live in the moment, and cherish what you have in front of you, this is the best way to live a meaningful life.
Thank you for reading to the end. I hope you have enjoyed it.
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Winston. I too am at the age where almost done raising a large family. Experiencing the grandpa stages and getting lots of son in laws. Often these kids don’t have some areas learned in their lives. I like your simple read. I write Well of Inspiration. Just started in Substack. Pretty fun. It’s a great way to refer folks too.
Wow Winston . You have beautifully summarised the different phases of life. I believe that whatever phase we are into, we should learn and grow from our past experiences as life is a journey rather than trying to reach a destination . Very soulful read 🙏🏻