When to Stop Chasing Eternal Youth and Give in to Life Changes

Many of us just do not realize that life develops in cycles. Each cycle has its ups, peeks and downs. And as the surfer travels on sea waves, you should seize the best of every life stage you move through. Not everyone’s the same, but our bodies are certainly not the only field on which we must work in this life. But many times, it’s the easiest way of resolving internal conflicts, lack of self-confidence, or a crisis in life. “„Get me new boobs for my birthday!”, said my friend’s 23-year old daughter. Talking about an MBA? Don’t think so! Looks in, knowledge out. She’s one of millions, and I think her wish will be granted. So, as we’ve become more and more youth-obsessed, finding a balance between body enhancement and some other life passions, such as learning, self-improvement and such, can be tough these days. Here are two radically different stories on how two women cope with getting older (and, probably, wiser).

Amanda’s Youth Race

After several weeks, my friend finally freed up 2 hours of her busy schedule. She’s a 38-year old divorced woman with a 11-year old kid. We usually talk about the guys and girls we’re dating, but somehow every time we end up on plastic surgery and enhancements that Amanda made, or that some of our friends did. Amanda lights a cigarette, saying that her business is running smoothly, but she works up to 80 hours a week. She’s become depressed since finding out that her 43-year old ex husband has found another young girlfriend. The chick, says my friend, she can’t be a day over 20. Ironically enough, her husband is a plastic surgeon. She continues her sad story, saying that she feels her wrinkles are too deep and it’s time to re-botox. She also thinks her boob job somehow went wrong, because one breast seems to have a capsule developed around the implant. Doesn’t matter, she sighs, showing me a magazine with a cover story on glorious new-new-face lifting and implanting techniques. I shudder a bit, asking her is she planning to intervene on her looks again? “Before Christmas for sure”, she answers.

Amanda is a classical example of a woman, obviously losing focus and trying some quick, emergency solutions that do not fit her needs. These are common mistakes. When I told her that she’s overworked, and that she should quit smoking, taking her ex-husband’s life too emotionally and being irresponsible about her health, she just shut me down. She said: „I don’t have time for anything else. As long as I have enough money for quick fixes, however expensive they were, I’ll do it, because it makes me happy”.

Caribbean Old-School Lady

Not so long ago, I did a project for an elderly lady from the Carribean. She was over 70. But not a trace of anxiety over her age. Being a renowned expert in her field of management at the time, she was still active as visiting expert, travelling accross the globe. I did notice that she was popping various vitamin pills all the time, driking only water and avoiding smoke, alcohol and heavy food! But I also noticed her insatiable curiosity and passion for life. Not even once in few months time did she complain about anything. She was very well educated and could attract attention or start a discussion with only few great remarks. Due to her overall routine and attitude, this magnificent lady did a great job in preserving her youthful looks, and maintaining interest for her. Manicure, pedicure, spa, massages…but not a trace of a facelifts or any visible surgery on her. Wrinkles were there, but somehow I did not notice them, because of her bright, vivid eyes. She wore a magnificent perfume, and talked in a manner that was charmingly soft and calming. For a moment, her energy reminded me of a famous Aussie, Elaine Hollingsworth. She confessed that for many years she’s been practicing Tibetan exercises for youth. With two grown-up kids, and an ex-husband, she enjoyed the company of a younger boyfriend! And bonus -she had a twin sister. She showed us a photo of her – and the „other lady” looked at least 10 years older than the one we had honor to meet. On asking how’s that possible, she whispered: “My sister smokes a lot! Don’t ever start it!”

The Road Less Traveled

If we ignore the possibility that the old lady’s „twin” from the photo was actually herself prior to some plastic surgery, this is an obvious example of old-school coping with ageing. The Carribean lady was maybe too conservative, but certainly rich enough to have tried any cosmetic or surgical procedure that crossed her mind. Instead, she shifted early enough to the road less traveled. She decided to fulfill her other ambitions than merely looking good. My friend Amanda is still striving to fight the lost battle with her ex-husband’s young girlfriends. Maybe it’s a valid goal, but I still cannot understand it.

Clearly, there will come a day when you will not be able to impress anyone just by flashing around your perfect face and body. When will that day come? Like death, it’s different for everybody. It may be at the age of 50, 60, 70 or never!. But if that day comes, instead of a quick fix, you’d better have another ace in your sleeve.