Will’s Thoughts – Staying Young Forever By Joining the Greenagers!
The first half of my life I was told to act my age. So far, in the second half of my life, I’m hearing the same darn thing! To date, I ain’t figured out exactly what the heck ‘act your age’ means. To me, when somebody tells me to act my age, they’re like a clown trying to get a trained pooch to leap through a hoop. Trust me, I don’t bark, and I sure as heck don’t do hoops. I’m not sure if my reaction is an act of spontaneous rebellion, or if I’m just insulted to be treated like a performing poodle, but either way, I encourage the person(s) telling me what to do to visit a pristine beach and repeatedly strike the sun drenched sand with clenched fists.
I like to think that I’ve grown in maturity, at least when I look back at some of my actions and behaviours, it’s like going back to a place where I lived when I was a kid. What I remembered as so huge and serious back then, now seems so small and silly. Maybe, acting my age means for me to ‘get serious’, or, perhaps it means that I should at least attempt to be ‘socially relevant’ to my age group. But, ‘act your age’ seems hypocritical to me, because to behave according to my age means I’d have to be real, yet the statement tells me to ‘act’. Well, I’ve had a belly full of hearing it, so I’ve decided to determine what age I want to be, and then to dwell there forever.
At this point in my life I can’t go back, and senior citizenry is dead ahead. So, ladies and gentlemen, from this point on, I will officially be known as a ‘Greenager’. Being a greenager does not mean tree hugging, protesting or eating granola (though millions do). It is also not an endorsement of any political party, or candidate (ditto). A greenager is a loving and fiercely loyal person who cares deeply about our planet, and its people. Greenagers love balance, ecological and economical. And, greenagers like green, whether it’s a $20 bill, majestic forests, a crystallized bud or an envious ex. Yep, now when told to act my age, I’ll smile and say, “I am acting my age buddy, I’m a greenager. Now git yer butt over here and give this greenager a big ol’ hug!”
As a card carrying greenager, I’m entitled to certain inalienable rights, such as the right to spontaneous laughter, to be awed by beauty and to appreciate art. I have permission to play with persons of all chronological dispositions, in manners excluded from any and all age appropriateness evaluation. I have the right to enjoy all races, unencumbered by racism or sexism, and to tell people how I really feel. I have the right to be happy to cry, and sad that I didn’t do it more often. I have finally found the exact time and place where I belong, and the age that I forever want to be. So, how old do you need to be a greenager? Heck, there ain’t no age restriction. You just need to be committed to being a caring, sharing and happy person. If you’re tired of being told to act your age, become a greenager too! Together, we’ll make the new age, the Greenage, and hopefully we’ll see it grow to become the largest, happiest and most fun loving age group in the entire world.
Will’s thoughts prove that everybody has opinions, but he has way more than he should. From dogs that won’t stop barking, to the antics of his spouse, ‘Crazy Lady’, Will’s Thoughts will make you smile.
