Writing Contest/ March 23, 2026/ #sv-writing: Write freely or choose the suggested theme

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The Best Stage of Life

Life being a book the chapters would not be competing against one another--they would complete each other. But what is the optimal childhood, youth or old age? Life is not a cinch and so is the answer. All the stages are magic of their own, but where a choice must be made, it is not time, but consciousness that decides.

Childhood is described in sweet hues when there is no fear about the gravity of life, when fancy has no boundaries and even a commonplace thing is marvelous. A pond becomes a lake, a rod becomes a rifle, tomorrow is a million years. As children we never count time, we simply live in it. The innocence of not knowing, not doubting, not not trusting, not not doubting, that the world is essentially good. It is a stage where one does not need to be happy, but happiness follows naturally.

Then age, in firesome blaze. It is the season of becoming-of following dreams, pushing oneself to the limit and finding oneself. Youngsters are brimming with the energy of the firsts: first love, first failure, first independence. It is chaotic and random, but potent. We define ourselves because at an early age we start doubting everything we thought. It is a phase of fire,--fire intense and sensual, and very destructive,--but chiefly living.

Old age is the more obscurant and difficult chapter. Defeat is no part of this, but outlook. In as much as there is wonder in childhood, and meaning in youth, so is there also wonder and meaning in old age. It brings along with it memories, some good, some bad, but all worth remembering. Something has been made free in having lived, In needing no longer to make a show. Time is not slackened, therefore, by its length, as in childhood, but by its length at last being savored.

So which stage is the best?

Perhaps the truth of the matter is the best stage is the stage we are fully in. Childhood teaches us to be happy. Young people instruct us on how to pursue meaning. Our knowledge of life is taught by old age. To feel partial to one, without the other, is to miss the point of the rest of the lot.

Life is not a race between its stages, it is journey between them. It is not getting old that is the tragedy--it is not to watch the miracle of childhood, the passion of youth and the wisdom of old age all three in one.

Lastly, we have no idea what the best stage of our lives is or will be. We are living in the present, which is a present, we just have to know how to feel it.