We are always the same age inside.

"We are always the same age inside." These words, uttered by the brilliant Gertrude Stein, resonate with a deep truth about the human spirit and its unyielding connection to time. For while the body may age, and the years may carve their marks upon our faces and form, there is a part of us that remains untouched by the passage of time. That part, the inner self, is not bound by the years we live, nor by the external forces that shape our bodies. It is the essence of who we are, eternal and unchanging, untouched by the physical limitations of the world around us. Stein's words speak to the timeless nature of the soul, the unshakable youth that resides within us, no matter how many winters we weather.

In every person, there is an inner age that is not defined by the calendar. The heart beats with the rhythms of the soul, not of the clock. We may grow in wisdom, we may gain experiences that mark us, but there remains an aspect of us—the spark of life—that is constant. This inner youth is ever present, the part of us that dreams, that loves, that believes in possibilities. It is the part that makes us feel alive, the vibrant energy that cannot be dimmed by time. The years that pass may change our circumstances, but they cannot strip us of the inner vigor that continues to pulse within, urging us to seek, to feel, to create.

Consider the life of Michelangelo, the great Renaissance artist. Though he lived to an old age, his inner youth never diminished. Even as his hands grew frail, he continued to sculpt, to paint, to create masterpieces, driven by a passion that burned within him. The wisdom of his years only added depth to his work, but it was the fire of his spirit, that inner youth that never waned, that drove him to create some of the most iconic art in history. Michelangelo’s soul was always the same age inside—it was eternal, ever in search of beauty and perfection, beyond the limitations of his body. His inner youth made him immortal through his works, a living testament to the power of the spirit that refuses to age.

The same can be said of Marie Curie, who, even as she grew older, remained fervently devoted to her work in science, constantly driven by a curiosity and a sense of wonder that transcended age. Though her body weakened under the strains of illness and decades of rigorous scientific pursuit, her mind, her passion, her inner age remained young, filled with the same drive and excitement as in her earlier years. She did not allow her outer age to define her or limit her ambitions. She exemplified the truth that the inner self remains ageless, boundless, and ever eager to seek new knowledge.

Stein’s quote reminds us of the truth that the soul does not age. The physical body may wither, but the essence of who we are—the part that loves, that dreams, that fights for what is right—remains untouched by the ravages of time. We must remember that age does not define us; rather, it is the heart and spirit that shape the essence of our being. Even in our later years, we are capable of feeling the wonder of a child, of experiencing the passion and eagerness that we once felt in our youth. It is not the number of years that count, but the spirit that remains ever constant within.

The lesson here is clear: while we cannot control the aging of the body, we have the power to keep our inner self vibrant and youthful. The key to remaining young at heart is to continue to dream, to love, to be curious, and to live with purpose. We must never allow the weight of years to stifle our creativity, our imagination, or our capacity for joy. Age may mark the body, but it does not touch the eternal fire within us. Let us nurture that inner spark, keeping it alive and burning brightly, no matter what age we may appear to be.

In our own lives, let us commit to never losing sight of our inner youth. Let us remain curious, open, and eager, constantly seeking new experiences, learning, and growing. Whether we are 20 or 80, let us find the same joy in the simple moments, the same passion for life’s possibilities. Age may wear away at our bodies, but our inner age, that vibrant and ever-present spirit, is ours to shape. Let us live, always, with the fervor of those who are forever young, for it is this inner age that is the true measure of who we are.