The Simple Joys of Yesterday and Today

​Today, while sitting in my office during a brief pause, I struck up a chat with a friend. We wandered down memory lane, questioning if we felt happier as children than the kids of today. This thought often crosses my mind, especially when I look back at how different life used to be.

Back when we were young, our days were filled with boundless energy and simple joys. We would run around the neighborhood with cousins and neighbors until the streetlights came on at 6 PM. Climbing trees, jumping over fences, and playing all sorts of games that usually ended with skinned knees and elbows were our everyday activities. I still remember how my brother once almost broke his jaw when a game got a bit too rough; we just shrugged it off though as part of the fun (but of course we had a word with our Dad and a trip to the hospital for that!)
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​Those were the days when our laughter filled the air and our biggest worry was being “taya” during our “sikyu” or “langit-lupa” game.

​We didn’t have smartphones, tablets, or any gadgets. Our adventures were in the physical world, and every day was a new opportunity to explore.
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Contrast that with today’s children, whose lives seem so intertwined with digital technology. Even when they are in the same room, they often communicate through devices. It feels like they are missing out on the physical play that taught us so much about friendship and resilience. While technology has its advantages, like keeping us connected across distances and making learning more accessible, I sometimes wonder if it also takes away from the simple pleasures of being a child.

Reflecting on these changes, I feel a blend of nostalgia and hope. Nostalgic for the world we grew up in, where imaginations ran as wild as we did, and hopeful that today’s children will also find joy and fulfillment, albeit in different ways. Maybe it's about finding a balance, where there's time for screens and time for screams of laughter under the open sky.

As the world changes, so do the experiences that shape our children. Yet, the essence of childhood—discovery, friendship, and joy—remains the same, just in new forms. I hope we can all encourage the little ones to enjoy all aspects of life, both digital and real, and to find happiness in both. After all, every generation has its own version of fun and adventure, and that’s what makes reminiscing so beautiful and looking forward so exciting.