Consequences of Sunshine and Laughter

Good Morning. I’ve begun my 43rd trip around the sun, thanks for the liver spots and melasma, you fantastic orb of gas and fire. Obviously aging is better than the alternative, but it sure can be tricky to navigate. Collagen depletes, metabolism slows, the consequences of sunshine and laughter, show themselves. I wouldn’t take either back, the sunshine or the laughter, in fact, I’d take more; but the fact that there has to be a trade off, seems wildly unfair.

I’ve never been one to struggle with the process, until recently. We live in a society that really makes aging a challenge for women. We are made to believe that our value is dependent upon our appearance, and our appearance is dependent upon our youth. Blah, blah, blah. I’m sick of hearing about it too, but that doesn’t make it less true. Maybe more. Bottom line is, even the most beautiful among us, will get the dreaded, ‘for her age’ added to the end of compliments, eventually.

The little victory in all of this, is that it has switched my focus to remembering my true intrinsic value. It’s not always easy, but the ability to dig deep, is one of the many benefits of maturing. My newest journaling technique, involves writing down one thing I like about myself, every day, at the end of my entry. I highly recommend this practice. You don’t have to keep a journal, you can make a note in your phone. Here is a sampling of what I have discovered so far:

I am pretty kind. I enjoy being friendly and helpful. I meditate every day and am constantly trying to expand my emotional and spiritual intelligence. I raise butterflies, and keep bees and I find great peace, tending to my flowers. I love children, animals, music, good food, the arts and all things nature. I generally prefer to leave all spaces in life, a little bit brighter in my wake. I try to focus on silver linings and little victories. I battle with my mental health, but I always get up off the bathroom floor. I usually land on my feet, even if I stumble instead of sticking the landing. There are many places to improve, but my self awareness is a value unto itself.

Beauty fades. But does it, really? It’s just a different KIND of beauty from one phase to the next. My physical appearance can no longer be compared to the likes of hot young things. But there are qualities I have cultivated just by being alive longer, never mind the beautiful ones I’ve fed, that cannot be compared to, either. It’s a different kind of beauty. Apples and oranges.

Something I’ve learned from my flowers. Even with the fading of the blooms, there is beauty in the cycle. There is beauty in their dormancy. I’m always sad to see the petals brown and crinkle and drop away. Then I remember, they will rest, then patiently return, and the butterflies, bees and me, will love them all over again. It’s a new season. Time to re-bloom.