I have a confession to make.

This morning I intentionally listened to Big Time Rush, and Sam wasn’t even in the car.

Shameful

Despite my outward disdain for all things mainstream and my incessant teasing of my best friend from high school, [name withheld], who was both straight and a staunch supporter of New Kids on the Block, somehow I have come to enjoy boy bands.

It started last summer when Sam made me watch Camp Rock about 47 times and I thought, “That Joe Jonas is okay.”

Next thing I knew, I was secretly listening to the Jonas Brothers on the beach. It wasn’t anything fancy – just a quick search and listen here and there, with headphones.

Then, somehow, “Mmm Bop” ended up on my workout playlist.

And now, Big Time Rush. I console myself with the thought that they’re just like The Monkees, only in 2013.  And who doesn’t love the Monkees?

Yeah right.

So what is it then?

I think what attracts me to these songs is the sheer enthusiasm for life that comes screaming through.  They remind me of what it was like to be 20, when I could do or be anything I wanted.

Here’s a sample:

Try and knock us down
We’ll get up every time
We can run this town
So let’s do what we like, do what we like

Can I still do or be anything?  Well heck yeah, I like to think so.

Being 37

For me, every birthday with a zero at the end seems to bring me to a landing.  20 and 30 both felt this way.

Turning 30 felt like a weight was lifted.  I suddenly cared a whole lot less what other people thought about me. It seemed like a miracle, but it happened to all of my friends like clockwork. “Our 20s were hell,” we’d say.

Now I’m almost 40, and I feel like I’m approaching a new plateau.  I’m no longer the the young business person, scrambling to get to the top of the heap.  I’ve put in my 10,000 hours and I’m here, like it or not.

From this perspective, tired but self assured, I appreciate the enthusiasm of youth even more. It’s a reminder of our power, which we all understand as children, and most of us abdicate just before growing into people who can actually wield it.

Be brave.  Put on your headphones and check this out:

(The video is a celebration of boy bands through the years. Enjoy, if you dare!)