When It's Lost

(photo via tumblr.com)

I recently had a conversation with a friend about her daughter. She's 15 and "she knows everything," my pal said. I had to laugh. I remember when I was a teenager and I thought I knew everything. (This was just nine years ago, so I might be stretching a bit here...) I was an expert in all fields and you couldn't tell me I was wrong, or there would be hell to pay. This obvious disregard for my own naivete, I must admit, is kind of endearing as I reflect on it now. Just follow me on this...

When I was 15, I was untouchable. Although I've learned a lot in the past nine years, I've become more scared of my own confidence. I've been booted off my thrown of invincibility. Surely, with the knowledge I've gained from my education, I can walk into a room and carry on a great conversation, and even offer up some original insight, but there's some element missing, a piece that has evaporated since the sweeping away of my youth. There's some major irony emerging here. It's impossible to get back, as I'm forced to embrace a new breed of confidence. Indeed, "I'm not young enough to know everything." Thanks, Oscar - for such a brutal reminder... ;)