I love being a teen because you don't have all the

Hearken, O children of the ages, to the words of Elizabeth Gillies, who celebrates the fleeting freedom and the boundless possibilities of youth. She speaks of being a teen, a time when the world is both wondrous and wide, yet the heavy burdens of adult responsibility have not yet fallen upon the shoulders. In her reflection, we glimpse an ancient truth: the period of adolescence is a sacred threshold, a season for exploration, learning, and the cultivation of the self before the weight of the world demands mastery and service.

Since the dawn of human civilization, youth have been cherished as a time of growth, curiosity, and discovery. In ancient Greece, adolescents were trained in the arts, philosophy, and athletics precisely because they were free from the obligations of adult labor and governance. Their minds and spirits were nurtured, for the elders understood that preparation and play in youth sowed the seeds of wisdom, courage, and skill that would serve society in later years. Elizabeth Gillies’ words echo this timeless understanding: youth is a crucible of possibility, not merely a waiting period.

Consider the story of Leonardo da Vinci, whose adolescence was marked by immersion in observation, experimentation, and learning, unburdened by the full duties of adulthood. In those formative years, he studied nature, sketched, and dreamed—activities that would later blossom into unparalleled genius. So too, Gillies reminds us that teens, free from full responsibility, have a sacred opportunity: to explore, to create, and to cultivate passions that may later define their lives and contributions.

Her reflection also celebrates the joy of temporality. The teen years are a delicate balance of freedom and preparation, a time to stumble, to experiment, to discover strengths and weaknesses without permanent consequence. In ancient societies, rites of passage often marked the transition from this season of relative liberty into adult obligations, acknowledging both the power and the responsibility that would soon follow. Gillies’ insight reminds us to treasure the present while preparing for the future.

Yet, even within freedom, there is the call to mindful engagement. To relish the lack of responsibility is not to squander it; it is to use this time to observe, to learn, and to cultivate character. Many historical figures, from young philosophers in Athens to apprentices in medieval guilds, used their years of relative liberty to hone skill, thought, and moral understanding. In this, youth becomes a sacred laboratory for the soul, where mistakes teach wisdom, curiosity fuels knowledge, and play nurtures creativity.

The lesson is clear: youth is both gift and preparation. To love being a teen, as Gillies does, is to honor a time when learning, exploration, and joy may coexist with minimal burdens. The young must embrace opportunities for education, friendship, and creative expression, laying the foundations for a life of wisdom and purpose. In doing so, the eventual arrival of adult responsibilities will be met not with fear, but with skill, resilience, and courage.

Practical action flows from this reflection. Teens should pursue passions, explore interests, and cultivate talents while they are free to do so, seeking mentors, experiences, and challenges that enrich the mind and spirit. Parents and elders must honor this season, providing guidance without oppression, allowing space for experimentation and growth. In this sacred collaboration, freedom and preparation intertwine, as they have across the ages.

Thus, heed the timeless counsel of Elizabeth Gillies: treasure the years of youth, revel in the joy of exploration, and embrace the freedom from the burdens of adult life. In doing so, one cultivates the strength, wisdom, and insight necessary to meet the future with courage and grace. For adolescence is not merely a passage—it is the forge of character, the garden of possibility, and the cradle of enduring dreams.