As Paul Newman said “aging is not for sissies” and I think he hit the nail on the head with that one. I’ve been repeating that quote for years. The aging process seems to take over in the middle of the night. It’s as if you go to bed as one person and wake up as another? How can this be? It is only recently that I really understood what Paul Newman was saying…it’s not about the saggy skin over your knees or the belly that appeared out of nowhere or the droopy jaw line, saggy eyes, balding heads it’s about the fear that we are not who we once were and we let that take over our lives and become sissies. We need to embrace our uniqueness, even more, and allow our inner rebel to defy what our body is telling us — that we are old and not as relevant and exciting as we once were. In this youth based society, aging is even more difficult and challenging.
On a recent episode of the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” (And yes, I admit I am a reality TV junkie) one of the housewives, Theresa, who has a pension for inserting her foot into her mouth, called Kim G. another housewife (who is in her early 50’s) “that older lady”. She went on to say: “I have respect for the elderly!” Seriously?
It doesn’t do anyone (especially another woman) any good to trash someone due to their age, as if being older means being less of a person. It’s a strange logic within our society. Yes, we all think we have the answers when we are young but by the time you hit your middle twenties, and thirties, one should have discovered that there’s very little you know and that you are beholden to those who have paved the way before you. All the great writers, artists, scientists, leaders, thinkers who challenge us intellectually, are the givers of youth.
It’s less about the new wrinkle on your forehead and more about brain cells, although a feather boa and a pair of signature glasses keeps it interesting! Defy gravity and don’t be a sissie.
Thanks, Paul.
"Artfully Living Life" by Karin Lowney-Seed 
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