When Pablo Picasso said, "It takes a long time to become young," he wasn't speaking about chronological age. Instead, he was touching upon an essential, often forgotten truth: youth is not merely a measure of time but a state of mind, a way of connecting with the world that is vibrant, curious, and unbounded.
In our journey through life, we start as children, full of wonder and curiosity. Every day brings new discoveries, new questions, and new adventures. We explore, invent, imagine, and dream. We aren't afraid of making mistakes because they're merely stepping stones toward learning.
As we grow older, societal expectations and responsibilities take a toll on this inherent youthfulness. We're taught to conform, to suppress our curiosity, and to prioritize practicality over passion. We're conditioned to fear failure and to avoid risks. And in the process, we lose touch with our youthful spirit.
But becoming young again isn't about turning back the clock. It's about rediscovering and reclaiming that childlike wonder, that boundless curiosity, that inherent ability to dream and imagine. It's about relearning to see the world through fresh eyes, to ask questions, to seek answers, and to venture off the beaten path.
Becoming young means embracing the beauty of life's uncertainties and the thrill of its challenges. It means accepting mistakes as opportunities for growth. It means letting go of the fear of judgment and embracing the joy of exploration and self-expression. It's about finding what sets your soul on fire and pursuing it with relentless passion.
It does indeed take a long time to become young. It takes years of unlearning, of peeling away layers of fear and conformity. It takes courage to step out of your comfort zone, to take risks, and to fail and rise again. But the journey is worth every step, for it leads to a life that is not just lived, but truly experienced.
In the end, to become young is to live life in all its splendor. It is to dance in the rain, to gaze at the stars, to laugh without inhibition, and to love without fear. It is to marvel at the magic of ordinary moments and find joy in the simplest of things.