J.K. Rowling (Author of the Harry Potter books) shares some wisdom via the quote above.  People have no idea what to expect out of life when they’re younger, because it’s very difficult to visualize a future when lacking life’s experiences.  Therefor, youth cannot always reflect wisdom gained through experiences they haven’t had.  So it’s difficult to blame them for making poor decisions and/or misunderstanding their elders.  Although, in the reverse, when age HAS been achieved (along with wisdom), decisions should be assumed altered based on their experiences.  The point J.K. Rowling is trying to make is; once you’re old enough to know better, you should remember and understand what it was like to be young.

“Youth can not know how age thinks and feels. But old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young.”

― J.K. Rowling

10 Ways to Remember What it Was to be Young

1.  Go through Old Photos:  

looking at photos of your youth can bring you right back to the way you felt all those years ago.  It’s a great way to relate to today’s youth.

2.  Listen to the Music of Your Youth:  

Music is a scientifically proven way to use memory recall.  It works really well as therapy for Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, generally by surfacing GOOD old memories in an attempt to bring them more daily joy.

3.  Spend Time With Grandchildren or Kids:  

There’s nothing quite like experiencing the joy and innocence of a child.  Talk to them, remain in “AWE” of there though process, their inquisitive nature, their wonderment and remember when you were their age.

4.  Exercise:  

Proven to relieve pain, stress, anxiety, and increase range of motion, mood and feelings of youthfulness.

5.  Play:

Life gets serious and if we’re not careful it can make us cynical and grumpy old people.  Play, joke, have fun, talk with friends more, play games, enjoy the fun things this life has to offer.

6.  People Watch:  

This is lots of people’s favorite thing to do.  Focus on the kids, how they move, what they’re interested in, what lights up their world and the simple joys they see.

7.  Reminisce with Friends from Your Youth:  

Who knows you better than old friends.  Ask what they remember about you and tell stories about ‘Back Then’.  Its proven that staying connected to your social group helps you live longer.

8.  Journal Your Memories:

Writing your memories down is a powerful tool of recall. This is also something interesting to share with your family, or pass down to younger generations to keep a family history and legacy.

9.  Teach:

You’ve spent countless years learning what you know now.  There’s no better way to use your knowledge than to teach. This is also a great relational tool to respect youth.

10.  Re-Visit the places of Your Youth:

Similar to music, geography has a way of transporting you back to your youthful essence.  Have you ever been in the home you grew up in and feel an overwhelming urge to yell for Mom “I’m Hungry”?