Thoughts on aging and what I would tell my younger self
I no longer have a baby or a toddler. That became painfully obvious when my smallest person came out of school yesterday sporting THIS t-shirt!
In our home there are no preschoolers. No longer kids in elementary school!
So why do I identify MY age with the age of my kids?
If I had a toddler would I feel younger?
Do I need to to feel younger?
Why is so much focused on ones age?
Why do I focus on that?
Why does age matter?
I was analyzing my face the other day. I AM aging. It happens. It's inevitable. Go figure!
But why do I / we fear it?
I decided I love my smile lines and the wrinkles around my eyes. It proves there has been profound joy in my life.
I will embrace the furrowed lines. It reminds me of the battles I've walked through.
I admit, I cringe at the grey hair in my bangs. For some reason that one gets me all undone. What do I do? I pull them out! Bad idea. They grow back. Not grey. WHITE. And they stick out all funny.
But really what would I tell myself looking back? At 18? 25? 30? even 35? What do I tell my girls?
- Fret less. Smile more.
- You look dang good. And you will never look this good again!
- Judge less. Others and yourself. You are so, so hard on yourself, please be more gentle.
- You are uniquely you. There is NO ONE like you. And you are perfectly made and beautiful.
- Embrace your curly hair. It's different then everyone else.
- Accept who YOU are. You were created with a purpose that is yours and yours alone.
- Love yourself - and others will do the same.
- Eat healthy.
- Exercise more.
- Stay out of the sun. Protect your body as a temple that it is.
- Chase your dreams. All of them. Never accept status quo.
- Be kind.
- Be compassionate.
- Love others deeply.
- Think less of who you are and more about others.
- Those woman older than you? They have wisdom to impart. Learn from them.
Back to the aging part. Why does the fact that I have teenagers make me feel old? At this rate, I will feel ANCIENT if they ever get married and {{gasp}} have children! And really, that's stupid!
So basically, this is a letter to myself.
Telling myself to SUCK IT UP.
Telling myself to get over it.
And telling myself that I am beautiful TODAY and at every age.
Why?
Because I am working on the beauty on the INSIDE.
Yes, I take care of the outside. But come what may I AM going to age.
However, if I focus on being beautiful on the inside. On developing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control - then my beauty will show for all to see!!
And that kind of beauty? Well, that never grows old.
Just think if I had focused my energies there for the last 40 years?
Good thing it's never too late.
Girl. You are insanely beautiful!
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Now go.
Get your shine on!
xoxooxox
lisa
|
Posted on May 30 2013