While You’re Young and Beautiful …

First, let me say I am not posting the photo because I think I look young and beautiful.

Actually, kind of the opposite.

My niece, Kate, took this photo when we were in Boulder last October and upon seeing it, all I could think was … Oh gracious goodness, I’m starting to get those wicked lines above my lips. I’m getting old. I need Botox. I’m too chicken for Botox. My face … my body … I’m falling apart.  When did I get so old?

I know. Kinda pathetic? Right? Because the truth is – of course I’m getting older. I was born in 1963 for gracious sake. I’ve been married 25 years. Had 3 babies who are now nearly adults – of course I’m getting older. But the ridiculous part of this story is … I’ve had werido, negative thoughts like that hanging around since I was like 16.

Yep. I have tortured myself for decades.

I remember one Christmas in particular about 20 years ago when my sweet mother-in-law got me a saucy, little wool camel skirt. It was conservative in a sexy sort of Baptist minister’s wife way – but definitely hot. (She probably would not describe it as hot … my terminology.)

And when I opened it up I said to her, “I love it! Thank you so much! Do you think I can get away with wearing it?”

She knew exactly what I was asking and said, “Of course you should wear it. Wear it now, while you’re young and beautiful.”

(Let me push pause right here and now: I am not saying Carrie Underwood got the inspiration for her song We’re Young and Beautiful from my mother-in-law but … Carrie did write that song in like 2005. And I can verify that the Mimo (MIL’s grandma name) quote above dates to Christmas in the early 90’s. Just saying …)

Long blog short … let me cut to the chase:

Today – you are as young as you’ll ever be. And quite possibly in a biological way, you’re as beautiful as you’ll ever be.

So … what are you waiting for? If I had a chance to talk to my twenty-something or thirty-something self, I’d say:

Wear the skirt Mimo got you for Christmas! Pull out the skinny jeans! Stop obsessing on the lines above your mouth! You are young and beautiful! Shut up your whiny butt and enjoy the way your body looks today!

Give yourself a snappy little pep talk. Turn up Carrie’s song, slip on those hottie jeans and love the body you got.