Spotlight Writing Contest #2: I Want to be a Kid Forever | My Lifetime's Reflection

"Nobody is perfect." Who's perfect anyway? I am not perfect, are you? 

  You don't have to be perfect in order to be a human. Wrinkles and flaws made our lives bitter-sweet. Imperfections molded us to a life that works better, drives more happiness, and gives us peace. It is just part of life, a twin and product of growing up.

  Growing up seems like a blink of an eye. It looks like I just played my Batman costume yesterday and then gone too sudden. If we could look back, our lives as kids were prefect having no worries and regrets. This time, I want to look deeper into myself and realize something important that could share to you all.  

  I still remember the world when I was small. I still remember that I cried on my first day of school during elementary. I still remember that I wanted to be a doctor; my old views, plans and dreams in life. I still remember the cheers they did when I threw my fist to my neighborhood friend, just a silly childhood fight. I still remember all - the games I played, the friendships and the memories we made. But what just happened? In a single tick-tock of the clock, it all faded. I wish I could travel back, and remain at that time forever.   

  Life is full of responsibilities, I wish I had never grown up. When I have still the innocence, I always think that future is so far leaving the thought of “I can think about that later.” But now, it’s just few steps away. I know growing up in life is a difficult task because we have to choose the path we wanted to be. I know also that change is constant and is the reality. But silly to think, I still wanted to be kid… forever if may.     

  You always have that true smile...    

  I am happy, of course, but I never wore the true smile again. Real happiness and smile are difficult, but how it happened daily when we are still small? The measurement of happiness of my age today is achieving goals and dreams, but what really happiness means to a child is his true innocence. Children always smile, they’re singing and dancing, are they really happy? Yes. 

  I know, there are children who opened their eyes too early in the reality because of their state in life. But we can't deny the fact that they are still inocents, they are happy for they are contented. 

  The world we knew was lost its innocence. No; it didn’t become dark-to-darker, but colder. It’s gotten colder. Now, we saw the reality in our naked eyes. We saw the lies of what we thought paradise as a child. Now, it’s not the same as the “perfect life” that led us before to the true smile. Our lives were corrupted. Illusions of ambitions and tragedies changed our peceptions.  

  Being a kid feels like as if you are in the top of the world - wild and free. But now, you are at the bottom, carrying its weight. Yes, you have still that confidence to carry on but you don't have that peace in mind anymore - thinking every now and then. Yes, you can still smile but not that true smile again. 

  Your priceless friendship...  

  I have a lot of friends, and they are cool. There are millions of valuable things in life, but friendship may be one of the most important treasures. As a kid, I met my first bunch of friends from our neighbours. They became the roots on how I base my friendship today. They are the beginning to all of my basics and deeper friendships.     

  Definitely, it was priceless. I've met thousands of people today and only hundred of them are my friends. And to think that I don't know them deeper individually, I trust them. Of course, there's a big difference between my friends today and yesterday.     

  What makes it priceless was the memories we had. It was undoubtedly funny to think that makes it a memorable one. Who could ever forget those silly games, sharing treats, and simple misunderstandings?   

  This day, you can't trust just to anybody. As we grow, change occurs and so the way we look at things. Yes, friendship today is better than before but our childhood friendship yesterday is the best.        

  In some instances, there are true friends that led to true lovers. It is from friendship to lovers, it all started during childhood. Friendships during childhood are true and deep, nothing can compare with it. I know, falling in love with your "bestfriend" is inevitable. No one could ever predict that, especially in love.    

  Our friendship on childhood was something with unique color, texture and style. It was our first developed relationship with others and is very valuable. Our old friends are our companions that could not be compared and be forgotten. How I wish I could grow old with them.     

  Way of thinking and self-discipline...     

  The way a kid thinks is somehow essential and sometimes more matured than old ones. Of course, we are more disciplined today than before. A kid is honest, it will say what he sees. All of us once became a truthful individual. What I like the most is that a kid never tell a lie, never hurt anyone through bad habits, activities or behaviour.     

  As we grow, we learn how to break rules and regulations, sometimes undisciplined and straight judgemental person, will not behave well, lie and unpunctual. Now tell me how can we be honest like a kid then? We can't be, because for some reasons time rolls.     

  If honesty is considered as the best policy in life, then kids are the policemen. Funny to think, but they are the models of truth. The honesty of a kid is the bridge and beginning of trustworthy relationship with family, friends, teachers and in any situations.  

  After honesty comes the discipline. Without discipline, one can not live a happy life. A kid is happy because he is disciplined, not just because of his parents but because of himself. The reality is that, kids are more disciplined than old ones. Kids have fears, but old individuals has nothing at all. I hate the idea of that. Discipline has no right age to be conducted because it can lead us to the right path.   

  We need honesty and discipline in many ways at many stages of our life so it is good to practice both from the childhood. If we can't learn, then better stay as a kid. Many people today have failed their lives, including hopes and dreams, because of the absence of honesty and discipline.     

  Being kind and soft-hearted...  

  It can't be questioned and is very obvious that kids are more kind and soft-hearted than any kind of human beings. It is not that hard to say a simple 'thank you', and yet it can really change the outlook of someone else's day. Old ones forget that words, it doesn't belong in their dictionary now.   

  Doing good deeds for people does not always lead to beneficial results. Even if something is done with good intentions, there is always the possibility that it can backfire and actually cause damage. This is the way of thinking of an old individuals. While as a kid, will just give and give. Kindness is free and is cost nothing, but why we can't give it directly? Kindness is complex to define yet simple to realize. Why a kid knows kindness?   

  Kindness is when people stand up for somebody. During childhood, bullying happened. Kids stand up and protect the one being bullied. It is so far different now. When old ones see a fight, they will just make it fun and watch like as if they are in a movie theater. It is sad, but it is happening and it's so true. If you see someone being made fun, you should stand up for them even if you don't know them.   

  Now, everybody cries but not as much as kids do. Kids are all known to be a soft-hearted persons. What I like being a kid is that, you are able to express yourself through crying. There's nothing wrong when you cry. But as an adult, especially for men, it is very a big deal. Crying is for the weaklings, as they say.   

  Being kind and soft-hearted doesn't mean you are a looser, weak or immature individual. One point is that, it is next to love. When you learn those things, you are ready to love.  

  Optimism and positivity...     

  Who are more optimistic and positive? Is it the kid or an old one? Kids are optimistic because they are cheerful as always. While old ones are positive because they knew the cycle of circumstances and how life works. Why not both?  

  Doubts occur in both sides, but just often to kids. Kids always believe in themselves, they always think that everything is possible and they can whatever they want. While the thinking of an old ones is different because of there are too many things to consider.     

  Kids are optimists because they are grateful and thankful for all their blessings in life, even the least and smallest ones. Old ones are different, sometimes we are not contented at all and we wanted more. Kids don't complain bad things that happened, they will just sit there and silent. While we are complaining in almost everything. Most of old ones are negatives, they did not believe in abundance. They are not confident that the world offers plenty of opportunities for everyone to succeed.  

  It's true, we can change our mindsets. But it is far different and will never be the same the way of thinking as a kid. We have experienced a lot compare to a kid, but why he is still more positive than us?    

  The value of respect...  

  Children learn respect from how we treat them and others. Obviously, a kid is more respectful than anybody. Now, only few have preserved the value of respect. A kid respects his parents, friends, teachers and even individuals they just met or didn't know at all. A person should not only respect himself, but also other people.    

  Respect is a very broad term when people use it. Respect is a very important part of life. If a person is respected, it makes him feel good and in return, he or she respects you.     

  Respect starts with yourself. Respecting yourself means giving and defining your own worth and value as a human being. Does a kid know how to respect himself? I think no, but eventually he will learn day by day. Definitely, an old ones know how to give respect to themselves, but why can't give respect to others? If we do, it looks like limited. Respect should be given to everybody and to everything.  

  Being a kid is perfect...  

  I used to think I have a super power that I am able to control the four elements - air, earth, fire and water. In short, I want to be like an avatar. I don't know, I maybe perhaps have the wildest imagination. I always wanted to fly and tell how it feels like. I have dreams, of course, which I want to be a doctor because I want to help people for free.    

  In some instances as the time rolls, life has taught me well. I understood life deeper than any of my friends. That's why I wanted to become a novelist. All words that I have on my mind will be put there. I don't know, I just love to ask what and why in this world.      

  It's the best time of our lives that went like a blink of an eye. Those are just some reasons of why I want to be a kid forever. I know growing up is something that we all have to face eventually. I understood also that as we age, things change too. No, I am not afraid to grow old either. Because I think the idea of growing old with your loved ones is the best experience you could ever have in this silly life.  

  I hope you love my work and gain some lessons.

  Growing up is fun, but the ride could be more joyful if we could be like a kid forever. :)

  Thank you!

  

  Sending love,

 - @mikekenlytungal

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