Read a quote today which made me startle.
I want to share with you.
As always, it’s by Neil Gaiman, the Great.
Grown-ups don’t look like grown-ups on the inside either. Outside, they’re big and thoughtless and they always know what they’re doing. Inside, they look just like they always have. Like they did when they were your age [seven]. The truth is there aren’t any grown-ups. Not one, in the whole wide world.‘
Neil Gaiman, ‚The Ocean at the End of the Lane‘
Time passes, I’m growing older, once every year.
I’m changing, maturing, taking on responsibilities
which would have scared the hell out of me some years before.
Still I’m feeling the same, on the inside.
Still marveling at the world.
Still insecure and callow.
And really not very adult.
Maybe Mr. Gaiman is right: There aren’t any grown-ups.
Quote
Actually, I’m pretty sure that’s true. And not only in a good way, either.
I always figured that some of the basic social skills, like not insulting each other because of thoughtless, unreflected things we say, or not interpreting shit into other people’s words would grow with age. Like, you learn what is acceptable. Turns out: not so much. I’ve seen people in very grown up positions (mostly professors) act very immature. Gossiping to total strangers about other total strangers. Saying „But it’s only a cat“ when they see someone totally broken down because the cat in question is ill and possibly dying. Things like that. Not having a feeling for what is appropriate in a certain situation (I always assumed doing what is appropriate was a grown-up thingy)
Sorry ‚bout the rant. I really dig the thought that everyone stays a child on the inside. As we all know, there are some horrible children and they probably stay horrible children on the inside. For the rest of us: Why should we worry, if they don’t?