OG

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I stood in front of the drink cooler, deciding what to get, as a small group of men entered the gas station. They walked in and made their way to the cooler, same as I had. 

“What’s up with you, OG?” one of them said as they stepped around to the cooler beside me. 

It took a few seconds to realize he was talking to me. 

“Oh yeah, what’s up with you, bro?” I replied. They nodded, grabbed their beers, and went to checkout. 

I watched them walk away as the realization crept in. 

It was the first time I had ever been called “OG.” Startling, because I had never seen myself that way. It is difficult to accept the reality of aging. We don’t always notice the changes in ourselves, but they are obvious to those around us. 

As I left the gas station, I slowly realized that society views me differently now, as a middle-aged man. It was depressing to recognize that I was no longer young in the eyes of the community. But it was also uplifting to be respected by younger men simply because of my age. 

That small, seemingly insignificant interaction forced me to view myself through a different lens. I still feel up to date with culture, trends, and current events. Even so, my generation is no longer the most prominent in media and entertainment. The music we listened to is now considered “oldies.” Resigning myself to this fact could be depressing, if I let it. Instead, I’ll accept this new social status and the perception of wisdom that comes with it. 

Sometimes I miss the lifestyle of my young adult years. Those years were formative, and the decisions I made, both good and bad, shaped who I am today. As a human, I will always carry doubts, fears, and anxieties about myself and my place in society. Now, I must shift my awareness to stay conscious of my age, even though I don’t feel what that number suggests. 

Reality is at face value and only skin deep. To remain productive in a rapidly changing society, I must adjust my perception to include this new aspect. 

I’m an OG now. I have to accept that as the reality of my current existence, even if I’m still learning what it means.