The older I get the less I "know"..., the certainties of youth fade with eyesight. Never the less, the eyes convey the light of the body and soul. But youthful eyes also see though fading lense and light revealing 
insecurity. With honesty within may come a connection to the present and engagement in eye "soul" contact with others through the miracle of light and insight.
In our twenties, generally we really have got things figured out. But with life experience contradicting the early dogma (if we are not deceiving ourselves) , our strong beliefs face internal doubt and questions. This is a wake up call... oft ignored, but a gift.
Thankfully with books, and now the Internet, those who choose to question, examine and research can delve into rabbit holes , eventually tiring or exhausting subjects with newfound understanding and awareness. Ultimately, what remains is the internal "realistic" distillation of personal experience. This comes with age in the company of openness and self honesty revealed in the light of compassion, empathy, consideration, patience, acceptance, lack of judgement, kindness and genuineness...