“Aging isn’t for sissies,” was an oft heard phrase when I was young. Now that I’m approaching 60, there is no denying it – the physical body will slowly and often painfully deteriorate. This is a new season of life for me, and gives me renewed respect for those “older than I am.”
As I look back at my insensitivity to those who had chronic conditions or were aging painfully, I am totally embarrassed. Youth can be a time of unwise cruelty.
Today I had lunch with a younger woman. She had a beautiful hard body. I stepped unsteadily out of my car in my heels. I then “sucked in my gut” so she wouldn’t think I was fat. Then an alarm went off in my head. “Get used to this, there’s no changing it. Accept what you are. You cannot control the physical laws of the universe.”
My goal for the future years… learn to be me, love me, and accept this new season. No more gut sucking.
“Youth can be a time of unwise cruelty.”
Oh, yes. Isn’t it?
This post really speaks to me. Loving and accepting ourselves as we are is sometimes difficult, but it’s a wise thing to do.