So, I turned 51 this week. You know the drill. People find out it's your birthday and they always say, "Well Happy Birthday! Are ya 29 this year? LOL" -- When I say, "No, I actually turned 51.", I get a variety of responses. Most are just shocked that I actually admitted that I was 51, like it's a social "no-no" to tell people how old you actually are. Well, it IS discouraged in the music biz, that's for sure. I mean, I don't even know how old some of my close friends are because they don't want people to find out and possibly not get hired for work. It's beyond me how that social prejudice got started. When did the "powers that be" decide that once you got a certain age, you weren't viable in the entertainment industry. Baloney I cry! Baloney!!! :-)Oh I know.... "Young and Beautiful" sells, right? But seriously, talent doesn't disappear when you hit 40, 45, 50 or beyond. It seems to me that it only grows deeper. You've lived. You have more to write about. You have more to share with the world. I recently saw Bonnie Raitt perform at the Ryman Auditorium here in Nashville. 63 years old and still SLAYS people with her musicality. There is a depth to that woman that no 20 year old is ever gonna have... and it shows through in her music. Thank you Bonnie, for reminding us "old gals" that we can still rock if we want to!!
But I digress.... This isn't about having a "pep talk" for the older girls... it's about breaking down the fallacy that it sucks to be older. Ladies, we need to stop complaining about aging, because it's actually a wonderful thing!! I LOVE my age!! There. I said it. And it's the truth. I wouldn't want to go back and relive my 20's again for nuthin'. Now, I'm not saying I didn't have some wonderful moments in my 20's. But I can honestly say that in general my 30's were better/happier than my 20's, and my 40's were better/happier than my 30's. And I have no reason to believe that my 50's won't be even better than my 40's! Why, you ask? Well, there are alot of reasons. Too many to go into here in this little blog post..... but I will say this: LADIES. We need to stop telling the younger girls how growing older sucks, because it doesn't. And we are only scaring the poor young girls into thinking that when they get to be our age, it's a horrible, scary place to be... and it's NOT.
I got a bunch of "Happy Birthday" wishes on my Facebook page, and one of the notes said, "Remember, growing older is a blessing!".... and they are right! It is a blessing!! So let's stop acting like it's not. I believe God created us to age for a reason. As our bodies change, we change. Inside. We grow, and live, and learn..... and the wisdom that comes from all that creates a peace that I never had when I was younger. I'm happier now than I've ever been. More comfortable in my own skin. More sure of what's really important in this life and free to pursue those important things without abandon. I've stopped worrying about what others might think all the time. I surround myself with people who I love and lift me up, and I don't feel the need to be everything to everyone everyday.
So, I'm gonna wrap this up and say this. If you are reading this and you are in your 20's or 30's.... ENJOY that time. There are many things about where you are in life that are wonderful and exciting! Your knees don't crackle when you bend them! You get to wear all the cute clothes from Forever 21!! You don't have to carry reading glasses in your purse at all times!! You can actually sleep all night without having to wake up to pee!! I could go on and on..... it's wonderful to be young and full of life.
But let me tell you... it's also wonderful to be 51. I promise. :-)
