“Every Wrinkle came from a Smile” – Aging, with Grace

Every day, I see these beautiful young women on television, destroying their natural beauty. They get fillers, implants, nips, tucks, stretching and smoothing.

When I look at their “before”, I am in awe of their natural beauty. When I look at them “after”, I see a strange face and a false body…a facade…a severe lack of self-confidence.

They were already beautiful, so why did they feel the need to “improve”?

Society? Demons from their past? Those kids in school who made fun of their big nose? …aka. BULLIES!!

Even though they’ve grown into that big nose, the hurt of those kid’s comments stuck with them for life.

Their reflection comes by way of a broken mirror, a distorted version of what they truly look like.

And they think, “All I need is a nose job, and I’ll finally be confident in myself!”

Then, once the nose job is done, so follows the breast implants, tummy tuck, lip fillers, cheek implants, botox…

It’s never enough

Why can’t they understand that they are beautiful, regardless of who bullied them in the past, or that they don’t look exactly like some celebrity they admire?

SPOILER ALERT!! – Those celebrities are ALWAYS photo shopped. And, when they’re in person, they had a team of stylists, makeup artists, not to mention cinching undergarments, and other tricks to make them appear “perfect”.

NOT REALITY

Trying to aspire to a false reality will never bring you happiness…never.

To be fair, there are certain circumstances that may require a little assistance to get things in order, but that’s not who I am referring to.

I commend those celebrities who chose to Age with Grace. Embrace their wrinkles and wear them with pride!

Emma Thompson immediately comes to mind. She is stunning. Her face speaks of a rich history, and her confidence is evident.

My mom is not a celebrity, but she is my prime example of Aging with Grace. She is undeniably gorgeous! Everyone I know has commented, at one time or another.

My Mom and little sis

She once told me that she loves the lines in her face, because every one started out as a smile.

That stuck with me

Sure, I have my own insecurities, parts of my body I wish were smaller, tighter. I’m nearly 40, and my face is beginning to change. But, I will never alter it.

It is my face. It has seen me through the good and the bad.

The skin around my eyes scrunches when I smile. I’m sure wrinkles are soon to follow, but I will embrace them, for they are authentically me.

I like me.

I’m not perfect, but who is?!

A plastic version of one’s self is nothing more than a mask. Why are you hiding? Surely, surgery won’t resolve what troubles you so.

Pretty, right?! …SHE ISN’T REAL

There are other avenues, ones that target the REAL reason for your lack of self-esteem, your insatiable need for “perfection”.

I encourage you, reach out and find another solution, one that will bring you true resolve.

Creating a mask won’t fix the underlying issues.

You need to go much deeper than where a scalpel can reach.