Aging Gracefully

Whenever I see a flower and look carefully at it, noticing the brilliance and depth of the color deep in the center I think of a woman’s beauty. The superficial trappings of the world we live in, especially in our culture with all the beauty magazines everywhere, the “reality” shows, the celebrities and the media…keeps us imprisoned in how we are “suppose to look” that is considered beautiful. It is dangerous to our self-esteem. It takes away from our uniqueness and worthiness if we are not careful. I mean how could we ever keep up with all the actresses, celebrities, artists and pop stars looking so called “perfect”? It makes us seem like we have a lot of work to do just to be beautiful never the less maintain that ageless beauty. We live in a culture that frowns upon wrinkles, cellulite, fat, thin lips, gray hair, varicose veins, small breasts, droopy breasts, small tushies and large labia. Yes, I said labia. Labia surgery is the latest thing now so you can make your vagina look like a prepubescent teen. It’s crazy how our culture and the world we live in supports the young and doesn’t give props and respect to the older or elderly. In other cultures, such as Native American Indian or even in some countries in Europe, being an elder is a wonderful thing, You are looked up to for your wisdom and compassion. It’s a compliment if someone says, “Hi, you are looking old today.” Can you imagine if someone said that to you? We would all be offended, myself included. I have already calmed my anxiety about aging, knowing I can get “work” done if need be in the future. It’s terrible. How do we age gracefully then? One thing is for starters, as women we must support each other. In the highest truth, we are all sisters and we need to stop judging and being competitive and petty with one another. We are all beautiful in our own special ways, and we need to start or continue to lift each other up. And if you are with a man or partner that doesn’t acknowledge your beauty, your real inner true beauty, then find someone else who does. A woman’s beauty comes from within. It is her strength, her compassion, her kindness, her nurturing, her love and her heart that is her true beauty. Defining yourself or even attaching too much attention to the body or the “shell” is a set up for disappointment and feeling bad about yourself. The “shell” or the body inevitably will change and grow older. There is no stopping that. Be the love, the light and the grace that you already are within your heart and then radiate your beauty and your light out into the world. Be you, be beautiful you!