Circle Of Life

Age is but a number. A number that classifies, organizes, and can even define someone. It holds opportunities to learn new things and determines when the path into adulthood begins. The linear notion created by steadily increasing numbers is a very narrow outlook on age. It assumes that as someone grows in age, they are changing both mentally and physically. This, however, is far from the truth. Age is beyond the numbers; it is what lies within. When numbers are disregarded and the qualities attributed to each phase of life is examined, a sequence of repetition can be observed. Instead of growing old, it can be seen as regressing to adolescence. The two outliers of life, infancy and elderly, are far more similar than any numerical value could ever project.

A routine; it provides life with structure. For many, it’s a necessity to maintain order and keep life void of chaos. These structures differ from person to person and are directly affected by the needs of each individual. As one grows older, these needs change and thus do the routine that they follow. In certain phases of life routines can begin to repeat. The routines that dictate the daily life of both infants and the elderly are akin. From dawn to dusk, they share similarities not present in any other stage of life. Both require a level of attention that is not a necessity in other phase in life. Often both need aid to get out of bed, and even need assistance during the night. Very often, infants and elders will also require support when washing, walking, eating, getting dressed, and many other tasks that parallel each other. For infants, parents or guardians often are there to help. In elderly this could come from family, such as their own grown childr...

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...xperience to learn about themselves. The raw simplicity and purity of life that dwells in infants and the elderly cuts to the core.

Life is a circle; it ends the same way it began. The structure of daily life is parallel for both the elderly and infants, and often they require a similar level of assistance. Their ups and downs are also cared for with an extreme level of care and sensitivity. People take it upon themselves to protect and guard the ones who cannot. Both infants and elderly can teach lessons about who we are and the world we live in. They teach qualities of wisdom and adolescence as well as respect for life. This circle of life, this inevitable path, allows people to learn about who they were, are, and will become. It can also teach one of the most valuable lessons of all; take care of your children so one day they will take care of you.