The trick is growing up without growing old.

"The trick is growing up without growing old." These words, spoken by Casey Stengel, touch upon a profound truth that transcends the passing of years. They challenge us to reconsider the very nature of age and growth, urging us to embrace the spirit of youth, regardless of how many seasons we have lived. Stengel’s words remind us that growing up does not necessitate the dulling of one’s heart or spirit, nor should it compel us to relinquish the joy, curiosity, and energy that come with youth. True maturity, he suggests, is not about losing the spark that once fueled us, but about learning to carry it with us through the years, allowing it to guide us even as we age.

In the early years of life, we are full of wonder, playfulness, and a joyful abandon that come from the freedom of not yet knowing the constraints of the world. The young are driven by an endless curiosity, exploring the world with fresh eyes and untamed spirit. This is the gift of youth—its inquisitive nature, its unwavering belief that anything is possible, and the feeling that time is an endless canvas waiting to be filled with adventure. But as we age, we often hear the world telling us to settle down, to abandon the freedom of the spirit in favor of responsibilities and routine. The danger, however, lies in thinking that age requires the surrender of our inner youth, that with the passage of time comes the necessity to become cynical, tired, or disconnected from the world’s possibilities.

Consider the life of Leonardo da Vinci, who, even as an elder, never let go of the childlike curiosity that had driven him in his youth. His mind, even in his later years, remained a vast playground of creativity, filled with an insatiable desire to understand and create. Da Vinci’s art and inventions were not the product of a man who had grown “old” in spirit, but of a soul that had maintained the vigor of youth throughout his life. His passion for discovery, for exploration, for the mystery of the universe, remained unchanged by age. Leonardo's life shows us that to grow up does not mean to surrender the enthusiasm of youth; instead, it means to channel that enthusiasm into deeper wisdom and purpose.

Similarly, think of Mahatma Gandhi, whose rebellion against injustice in his youth gave way to a revolution of thought and peaceful resistance in his later years. As he grew older, Gandhi’s vision deepened, but his spirit remained that of a young man seeking freedom for his people. Though he endured the physical limitations of age, his mind and heart remained focused on the idealism that had propelled him in his youth. Gandhi’s message was one of maintaining youthful hope and compassion, no matter the challenges of life’s journey. He proved that it is possible to grow into wisdom without growing cold or weary, to lead without losing the enthusiasm and optimism that once ignited us.

Stengel’s quote calls us to acknowledge that age is not an automatic sentence to staleness. Instead, it is a reminder that the spirit of youth—its creativity, its joy, its sense of adventure—can be carried with us, even as we age. The trick, then, is to never allow the weight of years to erode our sense of wonder, to never let life’s hardships dim the light within us. To grow up, to gain experience, to gain wisdom, is to embrace the inevitable passage of time, but to also retain the childlike openness that allows us to continue seeing the world with fresh eyes.

The true challenge, however, lies in how we meet that passage of time. Are we prepared to age with grace, maintaining our enthusiasm and vitality? Or do we resign ourselves to the belief that growing older means becoming disconnected, bitter, and weary? The wisdom of Stengel’s words is a call to action for us all. It teaches us that it is not enough to simply age; we must continue to live fully, to keep the spark of youth alive, even as we grow older. The trick is not in denying age, but in refusing to let the weight of years steal our vitality and joy.

In our own lives, we can honor this truth by embracing each year with grace, refusing to let the passing of time turn us into people who have lost their dreams, their passion, or their curiosity. Let us continue to ask questions, to seek adventure, and to dream boldly. Let us remember that growing up is not about abandoning the best parts of ourselves, but about finding a way to carry those innocent joys and spirits into every stage of life. As we face the challenges of life, let us strive to keep growing up without growing old—to live with the same enthusiasm and openness that once made us feel like anything was possible.