Shootin' it Straight - Golden Age

We spend much of our youth filled with angst, feeling the burning desire to carve out our place in the world. Many of us, either purposely or subconsciously, bend ourselves to fit a picture of what we believe the world around us wants us to be. Others rebel against the "system," but often in doing so, create another. Our young adulthood is consumed with making sure we have living quarters that measure up to the picturesque magazine cover. It's about ensuring we are on track with our peers, like a toddler on some type of pediatric growth chart.

In our elder years, most of us will experience a near-palindrome shift back to the indignities of infancy. We may lose the ability to clothe ourselves or maintain our independence. We often require assistance with mundane tasks. Some fight old age better than others, but ultimately, it is undefeated. As life comes full circle, a large swath of us return to the struggles of youth.

Squeezed firmly in the middle of these years is the golden age. The golden age of what, you might ask? The age of not giving a tinker's damn about trivial nonsense. The sooner we can speed ourselves along to this fine period, the better. It may be evident when a man ditches the latest fashion for practicality and comfort. Most likely, you'll see the lift kit on the truck disappear in favor of a factory suspension. Hunting with the latest camo trend and a wonder caliber is often quietly traded for a .243 and Goodwill Realtree. Women fall into a routine of happiness not tied to office trends. Social media is no longer used as a platform to garner drug-like attention because they are fully content with life. They put away childish things and truly find "happy," both as a verb and a noun.

The golden age of being one's self should be the goal. The sooner we can get to that point and remain in that space, the fuller the life we fill our cup with.

This middle ground isn't some mythical Narnia. It comes about when we realize that there are things that truly matter in life versus things that don’t. Media, retailers, and those seeking to gain something from you all set out with a goal to influence your daily life almost from birth. The sooner you shirk that yoke of nonsense, the better. Wear your white New Balance shoes, khaki trousers, and a mismatched ball cap today. Drive that outdated Honda Accord and listen to something not on top-ten radio. Grow that garden, run 16-inch tires instead of 22s, and eat a bologna sandwich on white bread. Live like you want, because no matter how well we manage it, life is but a vapor. Turn the world down and life up.