Does our war against aging prevent us
From enjoying the inevitable process?

Aging by The Poetess (SRP)    As I turned forty in a world that drools over youth, I was forced to step back and take a deeper look at my relationship, at myself and at the rest of humanity, on the subject of aging. I looked at the way I’d started streaking my hair, in order to hide rapidly increasing numbers of gray hairs. I looked at the way I frowned when I glanced in a mirror and noticed wrinkles peeking through the makeup I’d just started wearing. I looked at how this dread of getting older cast a shadow over my life. And I looked at how this feeling was being fueled by the opinions and behaviors of most of the world around me. The LOUD societal messages were saying that, “Growing older means becoming unattractive, unlovable and undesirable” and that “We must hide our age.” As this message seeped into my heart, I felt the core of how dysfunctional we are, in this area.    Most of humanity seems so hung up on youth and what we LOOK like, that it no longer seems to matter what we ARE like. Wisdom seems to be taking a back seat to vanity. And as this realization hit me, I began to feel ashamed of being part of such a shallow existence. It suddenly seemed ridiculous for us to waste so much time, energy, money, joy and contentment while fighting the natural process of aging, even though it’s going to continue happening to all of us, anyway.    This was a turning point for me. I literally chopped off ALL my highlighted hair and started honoring my age by letting my grays freely grow.     I now strive to be proud of my lengthening streaks of Wisdom and I’m starting to actually feel good about this obvious proof of the time I’ve served here on earth. Sometimes my grey hairs even seem to glow. Sometimes it seems like, the more I enjoy them, the more enlightened I feel. This may sound like a joke. But I’m not kidding!    Yes. I have days when my confidence staggers and I foolishly aim for a bit of make up, like when I prepare to have a photo taken and want to be accepted by my readers. But, most of the time, I’m enjoying growing older and letting it show. I’m finding it empowering. And I'd like to reach the point where I can feel good about growing older and wiser 100% of the time.    Wouldn't it be wonderful if it were truly OK to age - no more hair coloring. . .no more bald spot hiding. . .no more wrinkle removals or droop lifting. . .no more shame of what’s going to happen to all of us anyway.    Can you imagine the extra joy and contentment, Which will settle into our Hearts, When we let go of our foolish concerns about aging?    I think that any man or woman, who can PROUDLY wear wrinkles, sags, bald spots and gray hair, in today’s world, deserves a huge pat on the back. And I'm looking for mine. Aging by The Poetess (SRP) I stood in the lines Where every body goes To fix the aging form Of skin, hair or nose. But strong as stone, I stood As I studied my reflection, And found these words I felt, In my body's deep rejection, “Each crevice built for tears- These wrinkles on my face, Are proof of precious years That NOTHING can erase. In the gray of my fine hair, I sometimes see a glow. Please handle it with care And let this magic show. The sparkle in my eyes Grows brighter every day. Please don't cover it up. Don't take that away. Every blemish, bump or sag, In the eyes of the weak, May make me a hag. But HEAR these words I speak… I want to remain human, The Truest kind of all. Don't stretch, tweak or fix me. I don’t want to be a doll. I may not fit in, Because of how I feel. But I don't want to change. So, let me just be REAL.”