Dag Age Thing: Telling Tall Tales
“The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm.” Aldous Huxley
Dag Age Thing: Now, How old did You say you were ... Again?
Dag Age Thing & Tales We All Tell: It is ironic that many lie when they are underage to get the perks of adulthood, and then lie when they are adults to appear younger than their real age… I’m not sure where this all started, but the idea of lying about one’s age is as old as sin … I’m tempted to say as old as prostitution but sin is older. 😉
In some cultures, aging with grace means looking your age and acting accordingly; with a dash of wisdom thrown in for good measure. In other cultures, including this one, aging gracefully includes fighting it with every surgical ammunition and magic potion one can find. Wisdom can check back in after the scars have healed. Does it matter really? Is it anybody’s business anyway?
Other than your doctor, employer, relevant government agencies, and yourself, no one else deserves to have access to your real birth age. Sure, advertisers and certain social network groups want your data for obvious reasons, but quite frankly my dear, it’s mine to divulge only if I feel like it and not by force. Now, if you hang out in venues and locations where a card check is required, then by all means divulge, but on some dating sites and networking sites?
Pleeeeease… How many times have you met or heard of a date from one of those dating sites who posted their picture from 25 years ago? You meet them at the library, okay let’s say local bar Starbucks and you’re scratching your head wondering why the heck they bothered to show up. Ignorance can be a blissful gift at certain points in time.
I mean, if you’re going to stretch the age thing a bit, just post your picture from like 7 years ago; you know, like the one I have on Twitter. Or better yet, why bother being 29, 49, or 69, when you can join me at the 99 year old club… my age on one of those social network sites that insist on referring to us as numbers instead of people. Honestly, Huxley has it right; keep your enthusiasm, live your life fully, wear what you want, claim whatever age you wish, and get on with it.
For those who thumb their noses at the aging, one day you’ll get there too or worse yet… you won’t. For those who wonder about Cougars (older ladies who date young guys), haven’t you heard of Sugar Daddies (older men who date young gals)? They’ve been around longer. 🙂 For those who claim to be 21 when they are 15, I was there once too … but please enjoy your youth. 🙂
For those who claim to be 35 when they are 45 55, you must look fabulous honey, share your secret. For those who prefer to remain truthful about their age even after major work and new-hair-they-paid-for, ride into the sunset baby, Dorian’s looking for you. For all the rest, live a little will you!? Quite frankly, only the government and your GP care. We love you at any age. By the way, did I tell you I’m 99 years old yet? Mwah!
✿♡✿An Early Happy Valentine’s Day to Y’all!✿♡✿
Positive Motivation Tip: Live you life with joy and ease… You are a gift to humanity first, not your age. Keep a beginner’s mind and enjoy life…Don’t give up!
Related Articles
- Save the Date: Have a Happy Cougar Valentine’s Day! (time.com)
- Romance For Alice, My Aging Parent (blogs.forbes.com)
- Jewish dating site puts “Mother knows best” to the test (holykaw.alltop.com)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: Photo of Robot Soldier at Ghibli Museun in Mitaka, Japan, from my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
i’m actually 52 but i look 14, it’s only embarrassing when i ….
Oh Alan, tis all family friendly now … Don’t scare off my guests! 🙂
E
exactly I work with a ‘girl’ who i know from our sentimental 80’s conversations is the same age as me- yet she alludes to being in her 30’s. Which of course leads everyone else to presume she is 50, when she is probably about 42!
Oy vey! I think you should say something and save her the 8 years gap she created because of her silliness. We are not our age and I wish advertisers would get that message loud and clear.
Get to know my interests before zeroing in and recommending products based strictly on age. Aside from the tough times, Did I say aging is a blessing yet? It is. 🙂
E
in my article TIME
I introduce a person who is aged 100.
do not fear to get older:
it only means growing dignity …
Age is definitely about how you feel inside as this is reflected on the outside…particularly in the sparkle in someone’s eyes. All this cosmetic surgery and attempts to hold the clock are all very well, but the body will continue to age at the same rate unless you do want you can to help it by your lifestyle choices and positive outlook on life.
Lovely thought proking post Eliz. Thank you 🙂
Yep, our lifestyle and choices help a lot; rest and relaxation are important too and I need it lately…
My family demands I get it. 🙂
Thanks,
Eliz
Sometimes you can be proud reaching an old age …
So true! Aging is a blessing not a curse. 🙂
Fantastically witty post. Will post my real age (ie the one I *feel* ) when I stop laughing… Thanks!
Hey girl,
Thanks for stopping by…. I knew you were lurking; come back soon. Love to the fam! 🙂
Eliz
Eliz…you are so right…when we are young, we want to be older…when we are older, we want to be younger.
At this point in my life, I am happy with how old I am…and glad that I have accumulated at least some wisdom, strength of character and knowledge that may help me enjoy the next 10, 20, 30 or however many years remain for me. I NEVER lie about my age…what is the point. We are what we are and who we are.
How old do I feel? Well, at the end of a LONG day of work and stuff and standing on my feet 8 or 9 hours…perhaps closer to my real age. But, most of the time, I am 28…in mind and body, if not in actuality. 🙂
And I truly believe the secret of happiness is to view the world as a child and be childlike…but definitely not childish. 🙂
A beginner’s mind … as they say in Yoga is very important…
We put the childish stuff away and be childlike; ever curious and interested in learning but not in a naive way either.
Hey Viv, Thank You! 🙂
Eliz
Great post! Obviously I can’t lie about my age since my blog divulges it anyway. I don’t look my age, and I’m grateful for that even though it’s been constant maintenance along the way… the non-surgical kind. No knives on my face, thank you very much.
I remember when Ruth Gordon received her 1st oscar in her 70’s and said, “This is so encouraging!” still makes me chuckle.
A wise friend of mine told me the way to stay young is to always have friends younger than you are. He was absolutely right! It keeps you in touch with what’s new on so many levels. Staying current is key to staying young… keeps you from getting stuck in your ways.
Young friends=young sensibilities… I can see that happening…
Yeah Barb, you have the genes we all want; youthfulness without procedures. 🙂
Eliz
Wonderful, Eliz.
If you’re interested, Judson posed the question: How old would you be … if you didn’t know how old you were?
judson2history.wordpress.com/2011/02/01/ I feel about 30, until I bump into a mirror that belies that belief.
I feel anything between 25 and 65 depending on time of the day…
Glad to be alive Nancy. Where there is life… 🙂
Eliz
My sense is that Americans are more obssessed with youthfulness and staying young.
Of course, everyone agrees publicly that it’s not important until we close our doors.
The magazines and media outlets have made it hard to ignore the push to look, be and stay young forever…
I’m still laughing from the funny lines. I love your lighthearted posts as they tie much in.
Great post!
B
Thank you… humor is a good thing at any age.
I figured if this post was going to poke fun, best to start by poking at myself… 🙂
Eliz
Like what you have to say here. Suppose this is why I involve myself in some things that other adults think may be foolish. Thanks for sharing once again!
Hi Ray,
Haven’t seen you in a while… Hope you are having fun with all you do.
look forward to reading another post… write soon 🙂
Eliz
Aging never mattered to me. People already saw me as a mature person even when I was young. But it’s a bit bothersome sometimes when people make comments of me being single at my age. Sheesh… you’d think it was their life to live.
Anyway, just to share a short story. My dad enjoyed his 60+ years because it meant free movie passes on Tuesdays, discounts with food , and even some accommodations. As for my mom, she admits not accepting that she’s “old” already. Probably because she’s up-to-date with gadgets, and a bit techno-savvy.
So it’s not the really the outside appearance that counts but more so oh how you view life and how you live your life.
Great post Eliz!
The inside matters more … Though it’s easier said than believed; given how much we are bombarded by commercials selling us youth. 🙂
Eliz
Interesting post–people do seem to have a pesky habit of wanting what they don’t have. Love the photograph, by the way–I have a similar one from my own visit to the Ghibli museum a few years ago.
Yes, it’s human nature isn’t it? I enjoyed my time in Japan and my kids had a blast too.
It was their idea to visit Ghibli museum and I’m glad we did.
You have a beautiful blog… Love your photos.
Eliz
Our lives race by if we let them, and we find ourselves wondering where the time went. We worry too much about chronological age.
I’m a late bloomer. I’ve still got things to do and I cannot be held back by the perception that it’s too late.
It’s never too late.
— Judson
Welcome Judson! I’m a late bloomer too and all for living our lives the way we wish. After a certain age, you earn the right to be anything you want; no regrets! 🙂
Thanks for stopping in… I’ve followed suit.
Elizabeth
My Pennsylvania Dutch grandmother had a pillow sampler with this message: Too Soon We Grow Old, Too Late We Grow Wise. My favorite 80+ role models are those who remember their “favorite” years in life and still relive them. My most hopeful reminder is from George Eliot (author Marianne Evans) “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”
Great blog!
Those pillow samplers were always rich with wisdom… I like what your Granny had on one of hers. TY!