Caution: Don't Grow Up

     As lame as this sounds, I think the most traumatic thing that has ever happened to me so far is just simply growing up. I mean, it all happens so fast. One day you're this shapeless kid who only wants to play outside all day and has a million friends, and no cares in the world, and then suddenly your closest friends are abandoning you, you're stressed out all the time about the most frivolous things, and you have to wear this unbelievably awful thing called a bra (at least I thought it was awful at the time). Sure, you eventually get used to all that stuff, but the fact is, you should never HAVE to just "get used" to people leaving you, or you being riddled with stress and worry all the time. Frankly, it's exhausting.
     Earlier today I was babysitting my one-and-a-half-year-old cousin, and at one point I remember saying something to my grandma like "She'll be so much better off when she's my age. Then maybe she'll be able to sit still for half a second." But I take it back. Don't ever wish to grow up, and don't ever wish that upon someone else. With all the good that comes with getting older (driving, living alone, making your own choices) there also come so many unpleasantries (extensive school assignments, endless responsibilities, hormones). If you are young, try and stay that way as long as you can. Boyfriends can wait (jeez, that's a subject all on its own), stress is all in your head, and no one really cares what you look like except for you. If your not young, if  your childhood has sadly passed you by already, take a few moments to reminisce all the glories of your childhood. The worst thing you can do is take your golden youth for granted. Always try to keep a little bit of your former, younger, smarter --yes, much smarter--  child self inside your grown up self. Be five years old today. I promise you won't regret it.

Movie Recommendation: If you're bumming over the sadness of growing up (which is highly likely after reading this post), you should watch Now and Then, a movie that perfectly captures the essense of shedding your playful youth, and growing into your newfound skin. A superbly accurate coming of age story that you'll want to rewatch time and time again.
                                                                                             -VaughnDL