Advancing in Years

Advancing in Years

by Guest Writer Sharon Williams

Advancing in Age

I tend to be one of those people who will sit quietly taking note of my surroundings, and then spend days meditating on it.  My brain seems to take on a life of its own and will exhaust any conceivable concept related to that subject, sometimes to the point of physical exhaustion for me.   Actually, I think I just never outgrew the “why” stage of my childhood, and learned to ask the questions to myself instead of out loud.  Just a few years ago, I discovered that writing gave me that freedom of release and provided a way to clear my thoughts, just in time for the next adventure.

Here lately, on more than three occasions, I have taken note of advertisements for procedures around anti-aging.  The processes claim to be a low-risk way to reverse the signs of aging, but in the grand scheme of things, is that even truly possible? Is it truly a reversal, or just a slight delay? What’s so wrong with aging?  Did I mention that I never outgrew that “why” phase?  Maybe here is a chance to Renew, Refresh, and Reset our thinking when it comes to aging? Aging is not always about what you lose; sometimes it’s a matter of discovering what you’ve gained.

I personally see aging as a positive thing, a blessing.  Aging signifies maturity, growth, and advancement. Anything that does not grow has no life, it becomes stagnant.  On the other hand, anything that continues to grow but does not somehow change is, well—I’m really not sure what that is.  For some, it may be difficult to see yourself advancing in years, but you have to remember, you are still who you are.  A line or a wrinkle on my face does not alter me; my spirit, which is the real me.  You can’t even see the real me, what you see is just a shell.  The real me, is what gives life to that shell.  Sure, my “shell” does not look like it did when it was twenty, but I am perfectly ok with that.  When I was twenty, I had not had the experiences, nor was I even remotely prepared for the experiences that I had when I was in my thirties and forties.  I did not know the concern for a child in pain, a parent in surgery, or the struggles that come with a job that goes away.  I did not know the joys of becoming a mother for the first time or having someone to love you unconditionally.  I had not communed with as many elders to understand the joys and struggles that come with making the world a better place.  That’s life, and sometimes life tends to show on our faces.  Each face has a story to tell, and oh what a beautiful story it is!

Imagine all the delightful experiences you would have missed if you were forever young.

You may be able to erase a line or two, here and there, but the true essence of who you are should never be hidden.  As long as I have breath in my body, I have the opportunity to live life to the fullest!  The time I could take to inventory every line or crease around my eyes, is the time I choose to use in reflection and thanksgiving for the maturity, growth, and advancements in life that I have been given.

photo credit: Barack Obama via photopin cc

“Every day presents another opportunity to hit the reset button on your life.” Charita Cadenhead, Life Coach

Sharon Williams 

Sharon Williams

Sharon, hails from Birmingham, AL by way of Boston, MA.  Born in Tuscaloosa, AL she is a graduate of Stillman College and currently holds a PHR certification in Human Resources–the field in which she has worked for the past 20+ years.  Sharon has recently published the book: The ABCs of Real Beauty–the “must have” accessory for every woman and young girl.  Through years of battling negative body image, fighting the internal struggle to be herself and yet conform to her environment, and hearing the conversations of other women, Sharon saw a need.  Relying on her faith, while balancing the responsibilities of wife, mother, and career, Sharon sought for a solution.  A solution that would lift the esteem of herself and other women alike. Something that would fly in the face of those “unwritten” rules in which society operates.  You can learn more about her work by visiting her Real Beauty A to Z website.  Copies of her book, The ABC’s of Real Beauty, can be purchased on Amazon.com.