Connection: Growing Up

While discussing King Lear in class, we noted that a very important theme in the play was incrementalism. Lear's power being taken away, the evil sisters' power growing, Edmund's power increasing and Gloucester's power decreasing among other things. This got me thinking about how incrementalism appears in other places like music with (de)crescendos, and in life. I thought about growing up. I realized that the gradual increase in responsibilities that you take on as you grow older are perfect examples of incrementalism in real life; playing sports/activities, Going to school, doing homework, doing chores, taking care of siblings, succeeding in school, succeeding in activities, maintaining relationships with friends, family, peers, etc. The list goes on.

I often hear adults say "these are the best times of your life," and this really worries me because it doesn't feel like that one bit. I began to think how overwhelming these resposibilities are and I began to wish that this transition to adulthood went a lot slower. As I continued to think, I started to wish that school was over and that the transition went ten times as fast as it's going now. For me, the shift from child to adult can't go slow enough or fast enough. I guess there's really nothing I can do about this paradoxical situation except try to enjoy it as best I can. That's what I plan on doing.