Topic: Once a man, twice a child (Read 95 times)

The truth about life is that there's a spiritual angle to it. Man was first created as a spirit being, according to the Bible in Genesis 1: 26–27 where the soul was imparted into him before he was later made a mortal being from dust as we have in the same Genesis but 2:7.

For me, I have come to associate the same vulnerability I see in children with what happens to everyone at old age and that makes me more sympathetic to them. As children, one wouldn't know what to expect or do but as an very old adult one would know what to do but won't be able to do them. That's kind of frustrating, I bet. It's really sad that someone who is active as we all are now will at some point in the future depend on others for strength and directions. That's the part I detest about growing old.

I find it difficult to describe the cycle of life from nothing – appears – no longer exists, this for me is a spiritual context in religion, especially Muslims because it is mandated in life lessons and planted so that we respect people who are old, especially to both parents,  should be more, take care of him like he took care of you when you were little.

Learn to free that child in you! You can't lead your life to please anyone. Even when you act too responsible and mature there are people who will slide you for that. No one has the ability to please the world.

Funny you 😅. But playing is also a fertile exercise for the brain. It's good food for the soul, provided it doesn't leave an old folk panting.

thanks i never really understood the idiom but i know i've heard of it before. i just didn't know they are talking about retrogenesis. but i'm sure even up to this day there is a child within me wanting to play all the time. i just couldn't show it to anyone because they'd think i can't get my shit together.

i think the people who learns to play online games like AXIE game are lucky to be once a man, forever a child.

My avatar text bears that expression in the title post.

I didn't know that Once a man, twice a child was even a theory the first time I heard that expression on radio a few years ago. The theory is called Retrogenesis. I was listening to one of my favourite OAPs that fateful day during his 5am belt when he voiced that expression. That presenter was someone I have learnt a lot of stuff from but that expression on that day was the icing on the cake for me. It felt like a paradox at first and I couldn't make anything out of it. Later, same day, I pondered over it for a while before it finally sank in.

The meaning became an everyday experience for me in such a manner that it has now tremendously shaped the way I relate with old folks and kids. I tend to be more patient when it comes to dealing with old peeps as I always harbour that thought they may not be fast grappling with what I'm saying. It's more of empathy for me this day with them. There are lots of challenges and impairment when it comes to growing old and I don't think it's wise adding inconsideration to people of that grade in question. Can you imagine growing old and then realizing that you're losing some of your cognitive abilities and strength. Sad, right?

Exactly!

It feels like one is dying while that plays out in one's head, and no one likes to harbour that thought that they're dying. It's a sad reality.

I googled the expression and found more on it. According to research, the expression is an American idiom about retrogenesis which is the theory or observation that a person is born as a child, grows to adulthood, and reverts to a childish or child-like state in old age.

Now you know that old folks get slowed down in ability and reasoning and sometimes tend to act and behave like kids. I have noticed that a lot with relatives and other old folks around me. They tend to slow down in understanding things while one is in a conversation with them. The agility of the mind and brain are gradually slowing down. It's a natural process of diminishing returns. I ain't talking of senie dementia here. I'm talking of healthy old folks. No matter how smart they want to play, there's always that stuff you can catch them on, slipping.

As an old folk, you aren't even agile anymore. You can't take the jumps you were used to taking. You can't even scale over a small fence or jump down from a bench.

A few kilometers of walk and jog knock the breath out of you. Lifting stuff as light as 5kg weighs you down.

As infants, we learn to walk. And as old folks we also learn how to walk by supporting ourselves with a cane. Learn to hold old folks by heart like you would hold them by hand.

How life treats mortals like us makes me wonder why someone will still want to be arrogant about material or positional possessions. We are only pencils in the hand of God and as such should position ourselves to reflect positively on every endeavour we embark on for each passing day draws us closer to the grave.



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