I have some incredibly intelligent, well-versed, beautiful friends.
Recently, we were having a nice lunch, when one of them said the most shocking thing.
“You know, our best days are behind us.”
I was appalled. I don’t care if you’re 26 (as I am) or 106. There’s no way you can continually work towards a better life if you believe your best days are behind you.
So many women believe that they can’t be thin or beautiful beyond a certain age, or shouldn’t buy or even want things for themselves during different periods of their lives. They limit themselves in their thinking. Women who sacrifice everything just to make ends meet sometimes start to resent women who seem to have it all together. I’ve heard these women labeled as “selfish,” “snobs,” and even “bitches.”
Truth be told, sometimes beautiful and successful women can be rude. However, despite what the media portrays, I learned a surprising fact when I went through a difficult period a few years ago: Most other women are more likely to help you than hurt you. It’s true. You would not believe how many people – even strangers – are willing to help you. A simple, “You’re in great shape! How do you do it?” can get you informed about the nearest gym, the hottest new class, the best new diet plan.
Through blogging, I was fortunate enough to meet some amazing “Mommy Bloggers” recently – women who, by all accounts, have it “all.” These women have fun jobs, beautiful presence, and an air of positivity. They know their best days are not behind them. They have created lives around making their families and businesses grow – and look great in the process! Check some of my favorites out: Tammy Gibson (A Mom in Red High Heels), Audrey McClelland (MomGenerations), and Vera Sweeney (Lady and the Blog).
The key here is to stop believing you’re “washed up” or your best days are behind you. I would rather be an open-minded, positive, accomplished 58 than a closed-minded, angst-ridden, confused 18 any day. The first step to having better days in the future is believing that you can, deep within your soul. Knowing in your heart that you will. The next step is getting started. No matter what it is you want to do, from losing weight to getting the dogs to listen to earning a promotion at work, you can. Read the books, listen to the audio CD’s, and learn. Then try, try, try again. Rest, then try a little more.
I’m on this process myself. I can tell you, since I’ve learned to change my attitude, my life has changed. Slowly but surely, I’ve gravitated towards more positive people, done more positive things. And I’m surprising myself. You can too. 🙂
Photo source: Girl Talk (B&W), a photo by peter.a.klein (Boulanger-Croissant) on Flickr.