Unfortunately, we live in an era where youth is revered more than ever. There are a myriad of different products and procedures that claim to preserve or restore, but this still does not change ones age. You may be able to defy the aging process, but denying your age is another matter.
Unsurprisingly, millions of people dodge the ageist bullet by simply lying in an effort to fit in or to be more appealing to those of particular interest. Women are given a little more lenience than men in that, across many cultures, it is impolite to ask a woman her age.
Most can understand not wanting crows feet around your eyes or wrinkles in your forehead, but what does lying about your age really serve? And more importantly, what does it imply? Sure, you may feel better about yourself, perhaps even more competitive with those of a younger demographic, but this does not change who you are. Deep down, we all want to be appreciated for who we truly are but an alarming number succumb to societal pressures to be that which they are not. If there were only a little blue pill for insecurity?
Over the weekend, I heard a wonderful speaker ask a very thought provoking question. "Are you living 99 years or are you living the same year 99 times?" In growing older we have a wonderful opportunity to redefine ourselves again and again if we so chose. Sadly, many desperately cling to their so called 'prime' by attempting to relive an age that is far gone.
In Los Angeles and certainly many other self conscious metropolises, a person's actual age is regularly coined as the new previous decade. For example 30 is the new 20, 40 is the new 30 and so forth and so on. There are now even people who vehemently claim that 50 is the new 30 and 70 is the new 50, convincing themselves that their age is just a number. But it is not.
Most would agree that you are only as young or old as you feel, but it is almost shameful to deny such a monumental series of progress. Your age is to be admired and respected if for no other reason than the fact that you have survived.
The world is full of hazards, chaos, hate, etc and you have survived it all. You have been given the gift of another day for however many years. Why deny this? Be who you are for your own sake, not for the sake of what may be trending around you.
On your next birthday, in addition to blowing out candles, own who you are, years and all. You and your years are something to be grateful for.
Grateful Brand was created to serve as a reminder of the importance of being grateful, expressing this gratitude through positive messaging and acts of kindness.
No comments:
Post a Comment