Problems of the Innocent and Inexperienced

So, let’s pretend that life is exactly as we were once told. In this familiar, but often senseless world, everyone’s a winner, dirt is a treasure, and mom and dad are brilliant warriors.

In this world, we see no consequences. We only see the cookie jar on top of the refrigerator. So while we’re at it, we’ll play like we’re amazing adventurers and scale the cliff side for the greatest pleasure known to anyone; sugar of course.

There isn’t a problem that can’t be solved without a temper tantrum. In the real world, extra sugar on our cereal is a cause worth battling for. Simply because we can, we’ll strip wherever we want and occasionally steal a box of band-aids to wear all over our bodies.

That kid who no one likes because he’s “different” is now your best friend and every kid on the block wishes they could tie their shoes as well as he can.

Our futures aren’t a problem. We know this for we have been promised our everlasting childhood and are also sprinkled with fairy dust.

Just because we’re innocent, war is nothing more than a game that we and some of the boys sometimes play. “Sex” is the word that makes the big kids laugh, but remains unexplained. “Shut up” is a swear word and “I don’t want to be your friend” is the most awful thing anyone could ever say and must therefore be the meaning of sticking up your middle finger.

Sometimes friends fight; but only over toys and we always get over it quickly. “Grudge” is not yet in our vocabulary.

These are the issues of a four-year-old. Compared to everyone else’s, these are apparently nothing, right? What if our only worries were bedtime and baths? Everything we would be faced with over the course of the rest of our lives is a horrid adventure beyond the imagination of even the most creative child. Soon, we’ll be faced with real pain, real fears, and real concerns.

We’ll also forget what we used to have. The problems we once dealt with that felt as if they were in fact very real, and could not possibly get any bigger.

Now you’re older and once again, you feel as if you’re at your worst. It’s the same illusion of “these-are-the-problems-at-hand-and-that’s-all-there-is” that you experienced at only four years old.

How old exactly do you think you are?