In so many ways we've grown. Physically, mentally, spiritually - the works. We sit ourselves down and find satisfaction in the PSP or the pair of flip-flops we'd just purchased. We've forgotten the simple things. We've forgotten the greatest and most foolish sacrifice that we never really consciously made; the choice to grow up.

We've shed our innocence. That's one thing we've lost, and to different people, it's good and bad. It is a good thing to have lost one's innocence because we don't fall prey to deviant people. We're not naive we're wiser and we're more intellligent. Yet, it's a sad thing to have lost your innocence because we see everything as they are - tainted with evil and prejudice and all that wasn't intended by God himself. When we've lost our innocence, we've lost peace and satisfaction. We've essentially lost joy in the simplest things.

We've grown and in this process, we've become more self-conscious. Don't you remember a time when we used to stand in front of our relatives, singing and dancing to a caucophony of laughters and teasings? Do you remember the time when you used to be so carefree to do whatever, whenever you pleased? Do you remember the time when you felt no shame? We're unhappy because we've become so cautious of how we are portrayed, and what other's impressions of us are, that we've forgotten how to just break free and do whatever we pleased. We've forgotten simplicity, just as how we've forgotten how to trust people as easily as we once did.

In many ways, growing up means becoming more judgemental and becoming more prejudiced. There was a time when we used to play with whomsoever crossed our paths; when we'd make up and play with someone we've just had a fight with, in just a span of five minutes. There was time when it didn't matter if you were fat, poor or ugly. It was all about what mattered, and what mattered then was fun. Now, we look at people and only give them a chance to be a friend when we think that they're capable enough of being a friend. We've built standards - ridiculous standards - as to the kind of people we allow ourselves to be open to, and in doing so, we've lost cohesiveness. We've lost the Human Touch, but most of all, we've lost Humanity.

There's no telling what I'd do to take it all back; that innocence, freedom, that childhood joy. I can't tell you how much I miss my childhood and how there was no classification then, other than Adult and Kid - Fellow Kid, I might add.

Oh, how I'd love to have been able to turn back time and had the opportunity to stop it. Only then perhaps, would I have not lost my self-confidence, my compassion, my perception of equality, my smile, and my heart. At least, not in exchange for the meagre tidings of mere Maturation. It was too much of a sacrifice, and I don't know why I felt that was ever enough a reason to have given it all up.

Perhaps it wasn't even my decision after all. Dan says it was society's.