I Don't Wanna Grow Up

Somewhere around my thirtieth birthday I began to have an awakening.

And I'm not sure I'm completely okay with it.

Some of it's okay. Actually, many of things I've "grown up" about are things I really wish I'd learned a long time ago. Such as:

• Learning not to judge others until you've walked a mile in their shoes; you never know what you would do if it were your issue/crisis/situation.
  
  
• Realizing that it's not about what you have in your life but who.
  
  
• Grasping that I will be leaving a world behind to my children and grandchildren and that I need to be a little "greener."
  
  
• Learning that debt is a burden and it's time to unload it.

While I'm happy to have to have a firm grasp of those very important life lessons, unfortunately there are some not-so-good realizations. For example:

• While my own home and community may be at peace, much of the rest of the world is not. All it takes is just a minute to change the security we all enjoy.
  
  
• Understanding the financial state of America has left me fearful of the inflation of tomorrow.
  
  
• Bad things can happen to you. It won't always be someone else.
  
  
• You can't live in the moment; what you do today will affect you tomorrow.
  
  
• While I always knew that someday I would die, I have come to really understand that any day could be your last; you don't have to be old to die.

Sometimes I find myself roaming around, paralyzed by fear, worry and frustration. I would give anything to return to my late teens/early 20's - a time when my head was in the sand.

In my mid to late 20's, I remember being frustrated with young people over their unrealistic views about life, debt, politics and death.

Now I envy them.

How did that happen?

Oh that's right...I grew up.

*sigh* Why me?