Tomorrow is my 50th Birthday. Truth be told, I am a little anxious about the whole event. Coming to terms with the fact that I will officially be on this earth for half a century is keeping me awake at night. I am not afraid of getting older. That's not it at all. I look forward to aging- gracefully. Why am I in a bit of panic? I'll share more about that later.
I don't feel fifty. Not at all. And I certainly don't act it. I have more energy and pack more fun and activities into my already hectic life-style than most twenty-year olds I know. People are always asking if I've discovered the fountain of youth. Maybe...........
I know I look younger than my age. When the topic comes up, most people are genuinely shocked to discover how old I am. When they see photos or meet me in person, they think I am lying. It's partly genetics. I can't take all the credit. I inherited that thick, oily Italian skin from my mother. I am more fair-skinned than she is but even so, other than the dark circles under my eyes (also genetic but easily covered with a good concealer) I don't have a flaw or a tell-tale sign of aging on my face. Not even crow's feet around my eyes.
But that's just natural esthetics. I have no magic skin care secrets to share other than this:
Take care of what you've got by drinking plenty of water, develop a good, daily skin care practice (use the best, most natural products you find) and use sun screen because good genes will only take you so far.
I religiously take care of my skin. I spoil it and treat it well because this is the only face I've got!
Other than that, I will share a few other secrets. Actually, they're not really secrets at all. You've heard them all before. In fact, I sound like a broken record because I constantly talk about this stuff:
Eat right:
Your daily diet should consist of lean protein, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, plant-based fats, and whole grains. Avoid junk food, fast food, processed crap, and sugary snacks. Avoid fad diets, starvation and deprivation. That stuff never works and nothing will age you faster than constant weight gain and weight loss.
Exercise:
You gotta move it or you will lose it. You will begin to sag and droop in places you never thought possible if you don't exercise. Nothing screams old age louder than a saggy ass. I don't have a particular daily exercise routine. I am not a gym rat. I hate working out. I force myself to do it. I walk, take the stairs, lift weights 2-3 times a week and do some yoga stretches at night. If I can squeeze it into my schedule, I'll go do a bit of Bikram once a week at a local studio. Bikram is an hour and a half of yoga in a 105 degree room. I sweat out any impurities and it works wonders for my skin. If you can handle the heat, try it, but consult your doctor first. It might not be a good idea for those with high blood pressure or heart ailments.
The Three R's:
Huh? Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic? NO!
The three R's are: Rest, Rejuvenation and Recreation. You absolutely must make time for all three in order to be young, look young, and stay young. You need to sleep. You need to chill, sit back and relax. You need to recharge your batteries now and then. Step away from everything, pay attention to details and listen to your body, mind and spirit and do what they tell you. Don't neglect the little things or eventually they will become too big to handle. And last but not least, what good is life without fun? Do you remember the last time you actually had fun? The less fun you have or give yourself permission to have, the older you will feel. When you feel old you will look old. And act old. Then it's all down-hill from there.
Those are my secrets to looking, feeling, and staying young. No fountain of youth here. Just simple, easy, common-sense advice you already know.
So if I have all that down pat, why am I hyperventilating over turning 50? Well......I am standing here at the cross roads of life fully aware that my time is running out. It doesn't matter how hard I work at staying young; my own mortality is hard simple fact. I will not live forever and there's so much in this great, big beautiful wonderful world I still want to see and do and experience. So many people I want to meet, love, touch, and learn from. I've wasted so much time on such silly things. Fifty years have flown by so quickly and I don't want to waste another minute of the time I have left here on earth. I have this sense of urgency to get it all done, to stop second guessing myself and being afraid of the consequences. I have the wisdom and experience of 50 years and the heart and soul of a child. I am ready and raring to go. The fountain of youth is gushing and I am jumping in- head first!!
What is the fountain of youth? It's not what you think. It's not a pill, portion, cream or cure. You can't tap into it by eating a whole foods diet or by eating raw. You can drink all the clean, pure water from the Swiss Alps you want but it isn't in there either. You can't reach it by practicing yoga or meditation. These things can help, but they are not the answer. The fountain of youth isn't a person, place or thing.
The fountain of youth is within you. It's the most wonderful, amazing, essence of you and it never, ever ages. It springs from your heart and soul. It's there. It always has been. You just need to figure out what's blocking it and let it flow!
And if you need a little help with that, I'm here. Let's chat.
