Nothing pisses me off more than when a man comments on how women do not age well. As if they all have what it takes to age with dignity and respect. Afterall their criteria for a woman aging well is how she looks, not aging with grace, the secret to being a beautiful woman.
We are scoping out the place for hot older women, me and my two cohorts. The pickings are slim, even by my standards. Not because I don't see the women before me as uniquely beautiful women, but the unattainable criteria presented to me is unforgiving for most of the women my age.
This is the current environment of the world we live in today. Men and women out on the prowl looking for their suitable mates. Although I am sharing from a recent outing with my husband and his friend, my women friends are just as judgmental.
The dating scene looks grim for adults in search of their next partner. Gratefully I am in a committed relationship and don't have to go through the painful task of online dating and the dreadful nightlight.
Aging With What We Got
There are a couple things certain in life, we all age and we have to work with what we got. Very few are blessed with the high cheek bones and Christy Turlington’s sultry smile, a supermodel who continues to be at the top of her game as she ages.
Last week at yoga a lady commented on my hair saying people pay millions of dollars for hair like mine (certainly an exaggeration). Then this past weekend I had a group of six girlfriends visit and one of my girlfriends commented on the thickness of my hair. I mentioned that my good health contributed to it. She said, “I’m healthy too,” as she ran her fingers through her thinning hair.
Aging women start to notice thinning hair and my hair is fuller than ever. My friend wasn’t falling for the I am healthy statement. Obviously, there is more to it. Just like Christy was born with a million dollar face structure, I am grateful that God is blessing me with beautiful hair.
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Aging With Good Choices
Another thing that is certain is that we can choose how we age. For most of my adult life, up until I turned fifty, I abused alcohol. Alcohol is unforgiving for the health of our hair. The combination of dehydration and malnutrition from excess alcohol prevents healthy growth.
Not to contradict what I am saying because my friend is proof that a woman who keeps her drinking in check and maintains a healthy lifestyle can still be prone to thinning hair. While my friends chose to binge drink during their visit I remained sober. And when I speak of sobriety it’s not 100% abstinence. I am grateful to be given free-will to make good choices.
Aging With A Grateful Heart
Each day that I wake I put a practice into place. The practice of gratitude helps us to be content with where we are in life. If we wake up with a bad hair day, at least we can be thankful that we have hair.
Yesterday I injured a tendon in my hand from using a can opener. Today in yoga I struggled with my chaturanga, but I remain grateful just to make it to my mat.
Aging With Intentionality
From my experience women who do yoga tend to age well. I don’t know if they all have grateful hearts, but they are slowing down and being intentional.
Lora Devries shares a list of benefits of being intentional. When we are intentional we are being present, can easily align with our values, create and maintain boundaries, communicate with confidence, maintain better physical health, leads to better emotional and mental health, and happier and healthier relationships.
Not only do I do my yoga with intention, but I intentionally do not binge on alcoholic beverages. In the past I would get drunk and not be present while partying with my friends. Today I am grateful to meet my friends where they are at and they accept me for being me.
The Secrets Out
I am not the only one who has discovered this healthy lifestyle. Although I still enjoy my besties who like to overindulge at times, I also hang out with a group of women who choose to live a lifestyle that embraces recovery. Recovery is what is keeping me young at heart.
It’s not about luscious hair, high cheek bones, or the perfectly sculpted yoga body, but maintaining spiritual health. God has gifted each of us with special attributes. Even when life happens causing us uncertainty, we lean into our faith.
The beauty we possess is found on the inside, within our hearts. God gives us everything we need to age well. And it’s up to each of to allow God in and prep our hearts to receive the gift of His Son. I am grateful for His gifts.
Aging With God’s Grace
Something that is overlooked when men and women look for their mates on dating apps or in the crowded bar scene is viewing how God is working in someone’s life. Through recovery I witness transformations in not just the young but the old. We are never too old to choose change.
God offers us grace for our past when we seek redemption. It is up to us to extend that grace not only to others but ourselves. Our bodies change as we age but each day we are given a new heart. With a grateful attitude and living intentionally it is these attributes that live within us.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV
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