No one enjoys the thought of getting older, I’m no exception. However, if we’re lucky to live long enough, it is an unavoidable reality we’ll all face eventually.
The reasons we fear the advancement of age is the loss of our youthful good looks, decline of physical strength and endurance and the rising possibility of illness and death…all very legitimate concerns.
I have often heard Judge Judy tell young litigants whom stood before her, “Beauty fades but dumb is forever”.
She is right. And I believe her definition of “dumb” is not level of intelligence per se, but the refusal to learn anything new and hold on to beliefs and values which may never benefit us. If we aren’t learning, we aren’t growing and being from a small town, I’ve met countless people my age whom haven’t learned much and continue to hold prejudices which should have long been done away with, while lamenting about and dreading getting older.
But getting older is certain. Why not be grateful for each day given you? As the old saying goes, “There’s no fool like an old fool.”.
Intelligence and the wisdom we’ve gained over the years always trumps beauty, strength, health, or anything physical because once we’ve lost all the physical blessings we once had, smarts is the only thing we’ll have left before we finally leave this world.
There are many positives to getting older. Here are my takeaways:
1. I feel very blessed to have lived this long. A lot of people never make it to be my age.
2. Being older has made me confident and comfy in my own skin, giving me the freedom to be myself without fear.
3. I have become choosy of the people I keep in my life, preferring family and a few of my closest friends. I prioritize the people I love, who love me and who mean the most.
4. I don’t waste time with people who are fake or who don’t have my back. I love myself enough to walk away from toxic people who would otherwise bring me down and I can do it free of guilt.
5. It’s much easier to say, “NO”.
6. I have gained a truckload of knowledge and wisdom!
I wouldn’t trade any of these benefits for all the beauty or money in the world, which is why I don’t toil over my age nor do I hide it because I consider it an asset and a testament to how far I’ve come.
Mary Kay Ashe once said, “A woman who tells her age will tell anything.”
I disagree.
But a woman who tells her weight? Now there’s a woman who will tell anything!
Excellent topic and the post was great 👍
Thank you so much, Dulcy!
Amazing post. Actually with age we gain experience which is anyways more valuable. And who said getting old is not beautiful.
You’re absolutely correct! <3
Great post. I really enjoy the learning and wisdom that comes with age.
The quote “Beauty fades but dumb is forever”, made me laugh!
Thank you so much. Lol that quote belongs to Judge Judy. And she’s right. 😁
Haha she is indeed 😅
I agree the the definition of dumb is the refusal to learn anything new. And getting older is better than the alternative, lol.
Absolutely, Herb! 🙂
Great post 👍I also face the topic of aging, slowly noticing more grey hairs every day. But glad to have my current wisdom and knowledge, wouldn’t like to be back to my twenties with all the insecurities 😊
Thank you so much. And I completely understand. The twenties, although not as hard as my teens were, is a time when we’re only discovering who we are.
The teens are the worst, of course 😆
Absolutely!
I am 58 years old. I wish I knew what I have learned back when I was in my 20’s and 30’s.
I react different now to what I would have done in certain situations.
Now with an adult daughter and grandchildren I try with some careful language to instill some of like’s lessons. I am praying that they can escape the pitfalls that I fell into. So far, so good!
You’re doing your grandchildren a great service, Dwain and I admire you for that. Keep giving them the tools they need to protect themselves and I promise you. It’ll pay off!
I love Judge Judy. And that quote.
I do too! The first time I heard her say it back when she first started airing, I got a good laugh! True and funny!
I was so sorry to hear she was retiring. She’s on here for two hours everyday, and I watch the entire two hours!
Me too. But I definitely plan to order Judge Judy DVD sets! LOL
I love when Judge Judy says that! LOL
My gray hair though! I just died it back black today.
Girl! I’ve got to get some hair color tomorrow! I’ve got over an inch of silver on my roots. I’ve been using grey away but I’m almost out. Lol
I swear I have to dye my edges every 3 weeks. so annoying!
Ain’t it though? And it gets expensive too!
OMG!!! YESSSS
And Judge Judy used to make me laugh sometimes. It’s sad that she’s retiring. But she deserves it though. I wish her all the best.
She is the best! Little and mean… my favorite judge!
Wooooeeee! She cracks me up when she gets Fiesty with those that come before her.
I would be terrified to go before her! Just send me to jail! LOL
I know right!
She’s little and loud as hell! 🤣🤣
Oh my goodness! She sounds so cute! 😍
And please accept my sincerest apologies for not seeing this comment much sooner. WP has been sending a lot of legitimate comments to my spam folder lately and I didn’t think to check it. I’m truly sorry.
My father died aged 55yrs 1 month so when my second husband moaned about becoming 60. He asked how did I think he felt being 60? I told him he should be very grateful. I am now older than my father ever got to be and for that I am grateful. He didn’t get to see all his children married or most of his grandchildren born. I have at least seen two grandchildren arrive into this world.
I couldn’t agree with you more. You have a great attitude and you told your husband the right thing. Like yours, my father died young too. He passed away from Leukemia at 53 years old. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him.
Beautiful.. 😍
Thank you so much! 😊
Interesting and so well written . Loved it totally 💯
Thank you so much, Crystal! <3