Though I am writing especially for woman, much of what I have to say also applies to men. It may take a little extra effort to look, act, and feel great over fifty, but the good news is that it’s entirely possible! So, here are a few encouragements to live by as you embrace your decade of golden opportunity.
Act your age! It’s great to be fifty - or it should be. At this wonderful age you can invent your own style; expound bold educated opinions; demonstrate your personal worth (enhanced not diminished by time); and present what you know with great confidence. You have now arrived at a new level of value along with accomplishments and experience. It is time to look, feel, and behave differently than younger people without apology. Have some fun with your new found gravitas. Dress in clothes that are more beautiful and sophisticated than you could ever have worn in your twenties or thirties. Above all, wholeheartedly embrace this new phase of your life and polish it like a rare and priceless jewel.
Be truly beautiful! It is not enough to just look good, but it certainly helps us to feel better. So, let’s start with the outside and work our way inward.
· Rule one: Take care of your skin
The skin needs to be exfoliated and the underlying collagen stimulated on a regular basis. A place like PURE MEDICAL SPA in Meridian demonstrates how different life can be with really good skin care.
· Rule two: Do not color your own hair.
Find a stylist that works for you and pay whatever it costs - this is not the place to save a dime! Make sure that hair color is as natural as possible for your skin coloring. Let your hair air dry several times a week (smooth on a little shine enhancer) and try other hair styles like a French twist, or hair swirls with nifty decorative hair ornaments, like a 40’s movie star.
· Rule three: Make exercise a delight not a chore
What would delightful exercise be for you? A game of tennis? - A long walk in the moon light? - A fun dance class? You can’t argue yourself into healthy activity; therefore, the best approach is learning how to play again. Put on some music and dance around your living room. Start a collection of rocks and leaves for a crafts project that gets you outdoors. Working out at the gym is fine if you love it, but if you make your life a kinetic playground, you may just cancel that membership (and spend the money on your beautiful hair).
· Rule four: Sleep, breathe, meditate, eat clean, whole foods, read, and occasionally do nothing.
Give yourself the gift of introspection, whether that is allowing yourself time in the morning to remember your dreams, or meditating on spiritual concepts that are important to you. Make time to do nothing; we cannot regenerate if we never get quiet. Introverted activities are just as important as the extroverted ones.
Carpe Diem: Seize the day! Wisdom dictates that if there is something you have always wanted to do or be, now is the time to re-invent yourself! Have you always dreamed of starting your own company? Do you imagine yourself writing a book, or putting together a dance troupe? One question prevails: why not? For the first time in your life, you are worldly wise enough, young and old enough, educated enough, and strong enough to do just about anything that you want to do.
This is not about success or failure in the common sense; it is about attaining your highest potential and continuing to grow. The prime of life is here, the moment is now, don’t resist - revel in it!