David Cuen

A few weeks ago, I added another number to my age — which means I’ve grown, at least arithmetically. But does that mean I’ve grown wiser, too? Hard to say on either count.

Each passing year brings physical and mental changes — new aches, new thoughts, new memories — but not necessarily self-change. What I mean is, while our bodies shift and our minds collect experience, the internal image we hold of ourselves often stays the same.

The mirror reflects the years — no denying that — but deep inside, the sense of who we are, of what drives us, often remains rooted, unshaken since our personality settled in.

That version of us doesn’t care about the number on the birthday card. It listens only to the core of who we are. When it feels fulfilled, it smiles. When it’s restless or unheard, it cries.

So maybe the real question isn’t whether we’ve gotten older — it’s whether we’ve actually grown.