In This Skin
Morning Glory is hosting a Woman's discussion on various topics each Tuesday. I'm a little late posting this but she said it was okay.
In This Skin is a subject I think I know quite a bit about. I've been in this skin 69 years and am one of the older bloggers I've "seen" on here.
I grew up in an atmosphere where I knew that age really wasn't the issue or didn't matter. The reason for this is because my father was 52 years old when I was born and yet he never seemed "old" because of his young at heart stance on life. My mother, who was 21 years younger and 31 when I was born, always seemed a little older acting than my father.
From a very early age my father use to tell me "Beauty is as beauty does". This instilled in me the fact that beauty of the skin was just that........only skin deep. True beauty emanated from who we truly were in actions and deeds. Being saved at age 18, and being aware I was made a New Creation in Christ, I became more fully aware of developing the "real" me that lived in this skin and peered out of these windows called eyes.
Society has always tried to make a big issue out of age. I remember when I was in my early 20's (the 1950's) one of the leading TV commercials was a face care product advertised "For The Woman Over 25" like that was some type of plague. Advertising like this helped promote the idea that somehow aging was something to be dreaded. I never did.
Don't get me wrong. I think it is very important to take care of ourselves and look nice, pretty and well groomed. After all I want my husband and children to be proud to say "That's my wife" or "That's my mom". For the way I look and the way I act.
I believe the excessive attention being paid to outward appearance in this day and age actually borders on insanity. Plastic surgery, tummy tucks, breast implants, etc., etc. It is totally based on falseness and narcissism (self love as described by Webster). It is one more way in which we dethrone the true King of King's and Lord of Lord's and set ourselves up as God. True idolatry.
I'm even going to broach the subject of dyed hair. (oh-oh I'm already dodging the rocks being thrown at me!!!) Don't get me wrong. I think it is fine to touch up your hair color. Especially during those years when it is beginning to turn gray and is in that awful look stage. I did it myself for a number of years. But having said that, I think it is perfectly ridicules for us that are truly older to be dying our hair. Even the Bible says "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." Proverbs 16:31 I've earned every one of my silver gray hair and I'm very proud of it. You see these older woman with purple hair, bright red hair or pitch black hair and it looks so harsh and out of place. Kind of equates to the bald man that combs his 5 looong hairs around his head!!!
Now to some myths of aging. When I was 45 my husband and I went through a very difficult period in our marriage. During this time I began attending a Woman's Support Group. One night a woman who was 63 made the statement "Now girls if you think you'll have it all together at age 63 I'm here to tell you "you won't". I thought, "Oh no"!! There went yet another burst bubble!!! Well girls, I'm here to tell you, "You won't have it all together at 69 either"!!! Sorry about that, but that's the truth.
What is also the truth is, I'm enjoying life to the max. I've never been more satisfied, content, happy, optimistic, etc. in my life. It's a wonderful time of freedom and joy. My husband and I are both blessed with good health. For that we Praise our God. My husband and I consider ourselves "recycled teenagers". It's nice to finally get to the point in life where you know you're not going to figure it out or control everything so you relax and enjoy the ride.
One other truth.......you don't "feel" as old as you are. It's always a little bit of a shock to me to look in the mirror!!! I remember discussing this one day with a friend of mine and she said, "Of course we don't "feel" any older because our Spirits, the true us, do not age". What truth, our Spirits are going to live forever and in God's realm there is no time. Isn't that wonderful?!!!
I love being in this skin!!
26 comments:
What an excellent post!
That is a neat post! Thanks for sharing. So true, so true.
I do dye my hair, but I started getting some Grey hairs already at age 35. UGGHH!
I agree it is great to stay looking nice to some extent, but it's also good to work on the inner self too. True beauty is from within.
I'm not one for the tummy tucks or breast implants or any of that type of surgery. I may exercise(when I find time - hehe) and whatnot to keep myself in shape and looking nice.
What a wonderful post! True beauty is found on the inside and your beauty shines from every post!
Ohh Susan!! This is my favorite post ever!! I coudnt agree more!!
First of all, I think you are a very pretty woman, and I LOVE your hair, and even just your little picture attracted me to you and your blog...just wanted to tell you that! :) And I LOVE when women keep their hair silvery, gray or whatever. To me, it shows wisdom and grace and beauty! I WILL be gray someday. I wont be dying it. No way. I think Hollywood is the problem. Im shocked how many people say they dont look up to celebrities but yet they run out to get the latest "coach" purse because "thats whats all the celebrties are wearing". I actually heard this from a Christian woman in her 50's recently. It IS idolatry! The tucks, implants etc..whats going on in the world!! Ohh and the TV shows nowadays...theres nothing fit to watch anymore. Women revealing way too much. I cant help but wonder when our Lord is going to bring down the hammer on Hollywood and what not. It will happen. I hope they are ready.
This was such a great post. I could go on but dont want to write a book here ;)
Great post!
Love and big hugs,
Candy
p.s... LOL about what you said baout the bald guy combing his 5 strains of hair LOL Hilarious! So true!
"Recycled teenagers"!! What a great thought. I'm glad you jumped in on this and posted. Your thoughts were definitely worth reading.
Morning Glory and I agree.... The recycled teenagers really appealed to me! This was a great post, Susan, and I loved reading it all. And I really love the fact that we are all friends and all from different age groups. So much in common!
Hah, I just commented on my own blog saying that you were a wise woman and you are! I do agree with you totally. Okay, I admit to covering up the gray, big deal. My mom is totally gray and my dad is getting there. They wear it with pride and they should. It is a sign of their wisdom and they have earned it. I feel I still have lots to learn and have time to earn a few more, haha! Yes, I'm a little vein. I've always said that my daughter's are beautiful on the outside, but even more beautiful on the inside. I don't see my outward self as beautiful, but I do pray that my Lord is shining through to reveal His beauty to all who see and know me :)
Great post dear Susan.
I enjoyer this! I love thet you have a friend all the way back to 2nd grade! One of my oldest frineds is a blogger, Kim ,I have known her since we were 12.
Great post! This is something that is so hard to accept sometimes with the world we live in. Sizes and looks are made to be of such importance. Great reminder.
Wonderful post! Love the 'recycled teenager' bit. I can tell you love life and being in your skin.
Making the best of what we have - both inside and out - is important. Neither one should be neglected. Even an old barn looks better painted right?
Another wonderful entry! Thank you for participating! Hope you will again. :)
Wonderful post! Yes, we do emphazise looking young to much. It truely is what is on the inside that matters!
It's sortof like the Dove Real Beauty campaign-we are celebrating you as the real woman, but you still need our age-defying products...oy! Reading your thoughts was lovely.
That was an awesome post!!! I so agree with you--I embrace every gray hair I have, I have earned them:) I know to some I am very young, and to others I am old...LOL--I am 36--and proud of every year I have lived. I also believe, you can be the most beautiful person in the world on the outside, but if you have a terrible attitude, it just makes you ugly--Anyway, I so enjoyed this post!!!
Julieann:)
Excellent post! You said:
"I believe the excessive attention being paid to outward appearance in this day and age actually borders on insanity. Plastic surgery, tummy tucks, breast implants, etc., etc. It is totally based on falseness and narcissism (self love as described by Webster). It is one more way in which we dethrone the true King of King's and Lord of Lord's and set ourselves up as God. True idolatry." AMEN SISTER! My thoughts likewise.
I see I haven't been to visit you in a while. I had to scroll down and look at all your little angels and your handsome grandson! You've been busy!
I want to give you a big hug right now. You said exactly what's been on my mind lately (except that I'm a much-less-wise 39).
That was a great post and I agree totally with what you said. I am 63 and life is wonderful but I am still growing and looking forward to each day. Thanks for sharing this with me. connie from Texas.
I really enjoyed reading this post so much! I've wondered if I'm going to feel this way when I get older. I mean "will I feel as old as I really am"? I sure hope not! I too dye my hair cause I have those other colors sneaking thru that don't match! But one thing I vow to myself right now is, when I grow older, that I will NEVER color that grayish blue!
"Of course we don't "feel" any older because our Spirits, the true us, do not age" What a profound thought!
Age does seem very much to be an internal perception. Some people just think and act older than others, regardless of age (like your parents). I think you would get a kick out of my Aunt Mayme (she doesn't color her hair, either!). I wrote about her here.
Susan, I tried to add the "total visitors by country" html, but I cannot figure out what I am doing wrong. It only shows current viewers and only USA. How do I get my out of country viewers to show up and previous viewers to show up? Any suggestions?
Dear Lady we must have come out of the same mold! The things you have mentioned in this post are the very same things that I have been preaching for years, right down to the last part about our Spirit never aging.
My goodness, I do believe we may be kindred spirits! I'm 68.
Dear Susan, how are you doing. Just thinking about you and wanted to say Hi.
Love Candy
An excellent post!! I loved it! and you're so right!
It's funny how we determine how old or young we feel by comparison to what society says that age is 'supposed to look like'...
but I believe God calls us to be more 'mature' than our peers spiritual-age wise. But being more mature inside will make you feel younger outside and inside!! :)
What is that verse that says, "Man looks at the outside, but God cares about more important things"..... I can't recall right now.
Anyway - loved this post! :)
Well here's another blogger in England in her 69th year! Up to now I had thught I must be the eldest blogger!!
Will come back and read more later. Thanks for testimony.
I'm one of those who is coloring my hair but I didn't pick up any rocks. :) I believe aging is all about attitude though.
This was a wonderful post! There are a few phrases I particularly loved. "Beauty is as beauty does", and ones I've heard before but love, "recycled teenagers" and "the spirit never ages" (sooo true!!!). I may use these phrases for digital sentiments. I'm 53 and wondering if I'll ever really get it together! ;) Thank you for the inspiration and the great post! Blessings!
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