Acceptance and Love

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Dear Readers,

I saw my older skin at yoga class today, my arms sagging with wrinkled skin, but for today, I didn’t care, because my body was moving. My body wasn’t hurting, so I was very happy.

Other days, I cringe and look away from the mirror, taking and retaking a selfie many times, to make those wrinkles go away.

I am volunteering at the assisted living home where my mother stayed before her passing, and I see all the older people there, and it’s a joy. I don’t see their older skin, or flabby arms, I see them.

Beautiful people, they have lived life, and we laugh together. I asked one lady, how are you today, and she replied tired. Tired in the morning, tired all day, tired at night. Oh, I could so relate, so we laughed about being tired.

Maybe I can learn to always accept this older skin, and not feel as if I have to cover up every inch of my body. This is my hope.

I told Mr. UT that getting older is weird. LOL He agreed.

It seems as if we are erasing what real older people look like, because of all the plastic surgery, and other cosmetic procedures that are being done. (Yes, I have had Botox myself.)

There was a study done, where an older woman went out in public, first dressed nicely, hair fixed up, make up on, and then another time, when she went out dressed sloppily, no makeup, and so on. The researchers found that when the woman was well dressed, she was treated much better than when she was dressed sloppily. I know there is a bias against getting older, especially older woman in our society.

But, in any case, I know I have no choice but to accept my older self.

Right before my mother died, she looked at me and said, “One thing I’d tell younger people, is to keep moving.” At the time, she was close to death, and struggling to move her feet as she sat.

So, I keep moving. Walking, yoga, light weights, biking, skating, dancing, and if one day I can only walk, then I’ll walk.

That is why I was happy today, in my tank top at yoga, with my sagging arms and wrinkles. I could move, and it felt glorious.

With Mittens Holding Coffee,

On Day 2683,

Wendy

Published by Untipsyteacher

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14 thoughts on “Acceptance and Love”

  2. Great post Wendy! Thanks for your take on acceptance and actually loving our bodies/ourselves. In the face of all the artificial perfection that crams our screens these days – a little nod at reality is so refreshing! Grazie mille & saluti da Milano!

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  4. You mom had good advice.
    I often have critical thoughts of my body…especially beside young, beautiful people…and then I remember I had my time. I deserve every wrinkle and spot! They are mine.

    Love to you.
    Anne

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  5. “It seems as if we are erasing what real older people look like, because of all the plastic surgery, and other cosmetic procedures that are being done”.
    I think this has a lot to do with us not liking aging. I know an older celebrity whose around my moms age but looks younger than me (after surgeries).
    I hope and pray that as I get older I can accept it as beauty. Every wrinkle, every grey hair and every sag should be looked at as a beauty mark.
    You are beautiful Wendy!
    P.S. I think I will follow your moms advice. I need to move more. You move a lot and it’s very inspiring!

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  6. Loved reading this Wendy! Your mom definitely gave you great advice! I used to help out my elderly neighbor that lived alone. He told me he makes sure to get outside every day, even in the winter. Like your mom said, keep moving. 😃 So awesome your doing it with your infectious smile! 😃😀😃😀

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