Aging- Feeling Good in Your Skin. Letting the World Finally Accept You.

Sure, aging brings pain.  It brings much comfort too.  Society doesn’t expect you to look as good.  You’re even allowed to get away with saying what you think…and they listen without offense…regarding your words as very wise. 

I remember in my 30s, stepping on a weight scale up to 14 times a day, just to make sure no ounces crept in.  I didn’t drink water for fear it would add a pound or two.  Then one day, I grabbed the ugly scale and threw it in the garbage.  I had nightmares for two weeks.  Now I’m more at peace.  And when I go to the doctor and they asked me to step on their scale, I turn my head and tell them not to say a thing about my weight.

Statistical Living-by Linda Athis

I measured my heart rate.
Stepped on a scale.
Embraced the practice of self-inflicted pain…
my personal wail
against age.

Nearby, elders watched
with a non-malicious glee.
They knew the secret:
Time and gravity bring all to their knees.
Ten out of every ten people die.

Now I,
Much older,
threw out my scale.
Vowed to stroll, not race,
grateful to do that alone,
inhaling all beauty
I never saw
while dueling with time.

I bow in peace at my role, my place.
I lived not to gain power, money, pleasure,
but faced my most formidable goal:
To treat myself with kindness,
and unfold my soul.