Ageing - Punishment or Privilege?

"When I was young...and thin"

"It's true...after 25, it's all downhill"

"Do it now while you're still young!"

GAHHH could there BE more pressure to race against the clock?! Why is it that we fear age SO much?? Sure I'm not that old yet but I don't want to be afraid of getting old. It's not like being afraid of getting the flu, there are ways to avoid that. I want to enjoy the process, I want to embrace maturity and wisdom. So far I've really enjoyed the process, at what point will it stop being fun? My mom always says that growing old is a privilege - not everyone gets to grow old. She also says she doesn't want to be young again because she was dumb when she was young (her words not mine). Yet, as much as she's embraced her older self, she misses being thin. 

So is that it? We have to chose between having a great body with an inadequate mind...or a great mind with an inadequate body? Can't we have both? Or is that my youthful ignorance speaking? 

I have heard and seen so many stories of women of ALL ages embracing their bodies but more importantly the strength in their bodies, the potential of their bodies. And I love that! There are some things will power will never be able to achieve - I can not will myself to be taller; I can not will myself to be blonde! And I can not will myself to be younger again. But there are things that are possible. You can build strength. You can run farther. You can lose weight. We'll hit road blocks, some of us more than others but it is possible. And I am so encouraged to see women going for it.

Another thing my mom has said before is that 'it's never too late' granted she wasn't referring to exercise or fitness, there's still great wisdom in it! 

What do you think? Are you terrified of age? Leave us a comment!

Here are some examples of older women taking authority over their bodies and no letting time dictate what they do with it:

Ernestine Shepherd

Greta Pontarelli