As a kid, I was told to listen and obey my elders because not only was it the right thing to do but also, they had experience and that made them knew better. That was true but not entirely. When I became of age, I realized the big difference that most people ignore at times and this is it. The truth is, ageing is a natural process that inevitably takes place but to grow, requires a lot more than grey hair. To grow means to know the value of patience, kindness, gratitude, consistency, humility, sympathy and respect.
I have literally sat with many elderly people who don’t understand none of the above aforementioned values. Some of these people actually don’t get the difference I speak of. They believe the fact that they are older makes them expects. It doesn’t and there is proof all over. I am a big believer in people having the ability to understand their surroundings.
For instance, when you were born into a destitute family, you don’t wake up late and expect food on the table. You wake up earlier than anyone in the house, clean up your room and work on something that has the ability to get you out of that situation. There is no honor in being poor and any individual who recognizes this and decides to escape the clutches of poverty, is someone who has decided to grow. This is because the process one has to go through to get out of poverty is one that actually grows them mentally, physically and socially.
This does not come to you as you age. It comes as you decide to step out of your comfort zone and that is hard. It comes to you as you try to find a way out. This is why I personally advice we pay attention to the actions of those who claim to know rather than listen to them. If they seem to be just talking and not acting, pay no more attention to them.