The aging process has you firmly in its grasp if you never get

"The aging process has you firmly in its grasp if you never get the urge to throw a snowball." These words from Doug Larson carry with them a profound reflection on the human spirit and its ability to remain young at heart, no matter how many years have passed. Aging, as Larson points out, is not just a matter of the physical body growing older. It is not merely the lines on our face or the slowing of our steps that define old age; it is the loss of that playfulness, that sense of wonder, and the urge to embrace life’s simple joys. When we no longer feel the desire to throw a snowball, to run outside and engage with the world in childlike play, we may find ourselves trapped by the very process we fear most: the stiffening of the heart and mind, the surrendering of our vitality.

In youth, the world is a place of infinite possibility, a canvas upon which we paint our wildest dreams. Children, with their boundless energy and curiosity, constantly throw snowballs, not because they have something to prove, but because the world is new, exciting, and filled with endless opportunities to engage. But as we grow older, there comes a point when we begin to retreat from the world of play. We focus on responsibilities, duties, and expectations. The snowballs we once threw with wild abandon become an afterthought, buried under the weight of age and maturity. Larson’s quote suggests that the true enemy of aging is not the years themselves but the loss of the desire to play, to embrace the joys of spontaneity and laughter.

The ancient philosophers understood the importance of childlike wonder in preserving the vitality of the soul. Socrates, though he was an elder in years, famously sought to maintain his curiosity and playfulness through his questioning of the world. His mind remained young because he never stopped asking questions, never stopped exploring. Similarly, Plato spoke of the importance of keeping the spirit active, even as the body grew old. The soul, Plato believed, should always be in pursuit, whether through the examination of truth or the joy of discovery. Their wisdom teaches us that aging does not have to mean the death of curiosity or playfulness. It is our choice whether we allow age to steal our sense of fun or whether we fight back with the joy of discovery, the urge to explore, and the willingness to remain young at heart.

Consider the life of Leonardo da Vinci, whose passion for innovation and creativity never waned as he grew older. Even in his later years, da Vinci remained a man of wonder, constantly experimenting with new ideas and projects, from engineering marvels to artistic masterpieces. Despite his advancing age, Leonardo continued to see the world with the eyes of a child, always eager to learn, always searching for new ways to express his creativity. His life exemplifies the idea that age does not diminish our ability to play, to create, and to embrace the joy of discovery. For da Vinci, there was no “age limit” to the urge to throw a snowball—it was something that lived on in his soul, pushing him to explore new frontiers, even in his twilight years.

Larson’s words are a reminder that aging is a process of internal shift, one that begins when we lose our sense of spontaneity. Just as youth is marked by a fearlessness in exploring the world, old age can be defined by the fear of losing playfulness—the willingness to step outside our comfort zones and experience life with vigor. When we stop feeling the urge to throw a snowball, we stop living in the present. We become trapped in the past, weighed down by what we have already accomplished, and we lose the sense of possibility that keeps us alive. It is not the number of years that define our age, but the attitude we hold toward those years.

The lesson from Larson’s quote is one of embracing youthfulness, even in old age. We must guard against the temptation to retreat into the seriousness of adulthood, where play is seen as unimportant or irrelevant. Rather, we should find ways to keep the childlike joy alive within us. It is essential to make time for fun, for laughter, and for spontaneity, no matter how old we become. If we can continue to throw snowballs, metaphorically speaking, we will continue to engage with the world, to keep our spirits young, and to live with vitality long into the years that follow.

In practical terms, this means taking action in our daily lives. We must engage with the world in ways that spark joy—whether through art, exercise, creativity, or simply by stepping outside and taking in the beauty of nature. Play, in whatever form it takes, must be a part of our routine, just as important as work and responsibility. Let us embrace the urge to throw snowballs, to run with enthusiasm, and to remember that life is meant to be lived fully at every age. When we cultivate this mindset, we resist the grip of aging and preserve the vibrancy of the soul, no matter how many winters have passed. Let us live, not just for the duties of the day, but for the joy that each moment offers, keeping the child within us alive as we age.