Let's be honest about something: we live in a world dominated by adults. We live in a society whereby the voice of the child does not even matter. We are looked down upon by those of the previous generations as it is believed that age is what determines knowledge and expertise.  I strongly disagree.  

Age is but a number. It has clearly been proven by many that age does not determine how great you are at something; that is determined by your strength of will and dedication towards achieving greatness. The longer you are exposed to something, the better you are at it. 

Your understanding of the world is based on experience more than it is on anything else. Take, for instance, riding a bike. At times we may come across an adult who is unable to ride a bicycle for even an inch because they never got a chance to learn how to ride a bicycle as a child or at any point in their life. At the same time, you may find a seven-year-old child riding to their friend's house with remarkable skill.

This, my friends, is a concrete example that age does not determine one's level of skill. Yet again some may disagree. Countless times I have found myself asking the questions: 'Why do we not have a valid opinion when it comes to matters that affect our future? Is it not us who will carry on the legacy of this world in the days to come? Is it not us, your children, who have our whole lives ahead of us? '

We are not asking for total power over our future. We are asking you to listen to us. We are asking you to consider what we say. We do not think what you are doing is wrong. As a matter of fact, we know you only want the best for us. We know you are doing it for the betterment of our futures. 

We respect what you do. All we think is that maybe it can be done this way as opposed to that way. Do not look down on us and say, "Dear child, do not be delusional. You do not know what you are saying," because I do know what I am saying. Rather, look at me and tell me, "My child, I hear you. I see not what you see but I will try."

All dreamers have one thing in common; everything that they ever wished to accomplish began with a few simple words: 'I wish I could . . . ' Although some of the words that may follow such a phrase may be a bit overrated, it wouldn't hurt to be a dreamer (at least not for a day or two). For the next few weeks expect to see this phrase a lot more as we dig deeper into the things that most of us share in common that are driven by this simple yet complex phrase. This is 'I wish I could . . .'

I wish I could . . . be a kid again. When you become a teenager, a lot goes on in life. The things that you may not have taken notice of when you were younger tend to have a greater influence on you than they ever did before. The smallest of details suddenly begin to matter. Your responsibilities never seem to end and you are more aware of who you are. To be honest, it's terrifying!

Being a kid, I couldn't wait to grow up. I always wanted to go to high school, make new friends and meet all kinds of people. I could never get enough of what the future might hold. Despite this, it was as though time never moved at all. I was a child for so long. I kept looking forward to the moment when I would finally be a 'big boy'. I spent so much time looking forward to the future that I never really got to enjoy the present. I never got to appreciate all the good moments in life because I believed that there would be far more to come. And yet here I am: a young adult, as some might say.

Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and say to a younger me: 'Hey you. Yes, you. I'm you from the future. Some advice: go play outside, it's a beautiful day; jump on the couch a little more and let your imagination run wild; don't study now, there's a whole world out there to explore. Find adventure!' If wishes were horses, they say.

When I was a child, everything seemed perfect. There was never a cloud in sight, the birds sang their alluring melodies all day long and I could swear the sun was smiling. Either way, I would soon have to face reality and do the unimaginable: GROW UP! But really, this in itself brings about so many questions. What is it to grow up? Is growing up and being mature the same thing? Can I be mature and have an inner child?

And that's when it hit me. For one to grow up, they must unlearn how to be a child. They must forget everything about being a child. They must learn how to be adults. They must be ADULTS! Growing up basically means changing every aspect of yourself to suit the world. 

Being mature, on the other hand, is a whole other story. Being mature is about knowing when to be a child; how to be a child; how to be a better adult; and when to be an adult. I am not an adult, but this way of thinkng has helped me develop my personality and has been a guide towards being a better part of society while still mainting my inner child.

Take this as it is: Don't grow up! 

I don't really need to wish I was a kid because I still am or at least I keep a younger 'me' living inside of myself. 

Forever Young!