A birthday image to myself I did today. I wanted to do something birthday themed. Presents and drama are all over done. I remember on my birthday I was measured on the hall. So I went with that concept. The body grows old, but the mind remains young.

You are a year older now. In the back of your mind, you are thinking about all those years when you were small and innocent. Each year you grow older, more is expected from you. Society wants you to be "somewhere" and have a "certain" way of thinking for your age. If you don't meet their "expectations", you will be judged, cast aside and made fun of because you are not "acting your age".

Your body gets old, your mind doesn't. You have full control over your mind and how long you want it to remain young before it itself needs to "grow up". You are allowed to do silly things you used to do in your mid teens and you are now in your late thirties because your mind wants to continue to remain young, carefree and happy. Your body does develop more limitations so you can't really do what it could do years ago. If you notice that, than thats the part of your mind that is "grown up" and tells you that you can no longer do that fun activity. Instead, you find something else to replace that activity with that your body can withstand. It's much like going to an amusement park: there are some rides you were able to do when you were younger but now you cant. Instead, you find another ride that your body can withstand and enjoy.

I'm 32 years old and I still watch cartoons, read comics, collect stuff animals, play games and do childish things. Why? Because its fun and it makes me happy. I'm only 32 years old when I need to be. When I'm not, why not kick back and let your mind and soul be as young as it wants to be?


artwork © 2014 Alex Cockburn