Norwegian author Knut Hamsun, who lived from 1859 to 1952, is renowned for his distinctive prose and profound understanding of human nature. One of his well-known quotations sums up aging perfectly by explaining how our lives change from one stage to the next.

Think of life as a letter that moves through time, beginning where it came from and ending where it is going. This process feels like a long-awaited letter after years of waiting, especially as we get older. Not only is the content important when the letter eventually arrives, but so is the actual moment when we realize that our journey is over and that we have entered a new phase.

Hamsun's remarks offer insight into how time propels us into new life phases, each with distinct traits and experiences. The metaphor of a letter arriving illustrates how we are now firmly grounded in the present, whereas previously we lived in expectation of the future and dreams for the future. This portrays our past as something we left behind on our journey rather than diminishing it.

The quote also discusses acceptance, which is the understanding that change is unavoidable and that every stage of life offers a unique kind of fulfillment. We accept the completion of our younger selves to make room for who we are now, much like when someone opens an envelope containing memories, ideas, and experiences from years past.

Essentially, Hamsun's viewpoint encourages us to appreciate where we are now rather than mourning lost youth or endlessly aiming for an unachievable future by embracing the inevitable passage of time.