When I first took a small step towards publishing a book a few years ago, I found myself wondering whether I should go through with it. Would readers enjoy what I had written, or would they criticize my work? These questions weighed on my mind.
I received a piece of advice from the most unexpected source. The younger man of the house offered his two cents: “What matters is that you’re doing something you love. Even the best writers have people who don’t like their work. Does that stop them from writing?” He was absolutely right, and his words resonated with me. So I decided to move forward with my plan. If my boy still remembers that he counseled me, he must be still gloating over the fact that I listened to him!
Is the phrase “older and wiser” a truth embedded in stone? Some of us are conditioned to believe that age and experience give us the leverage to make the best decisions or offer the best advice to those younger to us. But there are times when clarity comes not from years lived but rather from a fresh perspective, unburdened by habit, fear, or preconceived notions.
To be honest, we need to look outside the family. More often than not, we do not think that the younger people, especially our children, are capable of giving sound advice when it comes to cruising through life. It is our tendency to keep them sheltered and protected that leads us to develop this mindset.
This is a phrase often heard: “This young generation! They do not understand the realities of life nor take things seriously!” We get frustrated with their behavior and tend to generalize that all youngsters are the same. Clearly we are being judgmental by making such a statement.
Not too long ago, in close succession, I came across a couple of scenarios that clearly hinted at the maturity of individuals belonging to my son’s age group, young people whose parents are of my generation.
A blessed birthday indeed!
I happened to speak with someone in Delhi who had just celebrated his birthday. Knowing that he has a large circle of friends, I asked him how he had marked the occasion.
What I heard was truly heartwarming. “My birthday this year was a little different from the usual,” he said. Instead of hosting a party, he ordered fifty lunch packets and drove around, distributing them to people on the streets who, in his view, were in need of a meal. Rather than celebrating with friends, he chose a gesture that brought him a deeper sense of fulfillment.
I marveled at this young man. Here was someone at an age we often associate with carefree celebrations, choosing compassion over indulgence.
Interpreting the divine through the lens of maturity
We talk about a supernatural force that guides us, but how do we explain the presence of that divine power? I read a small write-up on this topic that left a mark on my mind. It came from a young woman in her very early thirties. She is always a joy to meet because she is full of positivity.
In her brief note, she shares an experience and reflects on how she questioned the presence of the divine, eventually arriving at a conclusion on her own simple terms. Once, while meditating, she was enveloped by a profound sense of love, which she described as “pure, blissful, unlike anything I had ever known.” That moment led her to a beautiful realization – that the divine resides within each of us and that we must allow ourselves the space to experience the depth of that love. Though inherently subjective and open to interpretation, the idea reveals a sense of spiritual insight that feels unusually mature for its generation.
These stories are just a small part of a larger narrative: Younger minds also have a deeper understanding of life’s values than we give them credit for.
The Narrative Can Be Redefined
Gen Z and millennials are often reduced to stereotypes about being tech-savvy, trend-driven, or always chasing what is new. Yet beneath those labels lies a generation capable of offering thoughtful advice, meaningful life lessons, and a strong example for others. Their perspective reflects not only adaptability, but also depth, resilience, and a growing sense of wisdom that deserves to be recognized.
If we see the upcoming generation shining in successful career paths and adapting to the changing routes of progress, why is it not possible for them to think wisely with matters related to life in general? Wisdom reveals itself in unexpected voices, reminding us that insight is not the sole privilege of age. Rather it is a quality that can emerge from anyone willing to see things simply and honestly. So can we just entertain the notion that being older does not necessarily mean being wiser?
rashmi writes 