Getting older.

4/5/2015

I never expected to be saying this, but I LOVE getting older. I recently had a birthday, and it was one of the best I've had. I look better than I ever have, and I attribute it to being so much more together internally. I know myself. I have wisdom. I have experience. I have insight. I have no fear. I follow my heart and I am in tune with my truth. I know just what I want. I know what I will accept, and what I won't allow. I know what I still have to learn, and where I want to invest my time and energy.  I've been wanting to put together a little list of what I love about getting older for awhile.  After a conversation with one of my best friends last week, I was inspired to do it.

~You know how to accept a compliment. How to accept it genuinely, and leave it at that.
~You don't feel guilty for saying no, and you are getting better at not having to explain your reasons.
~You understand that stressing out about five or even ten pounds (be it overweight, or underweight) is trivial. You've lived enough life to experience real trauma, real heartache, and it's given you a deeper appreciation for life. It's all about health. Your well being physically, emotionally, and mentally.
~You know yourself so much more. You're done with self consciousness and uncertainty.
~You no longer care what others think about you. Your wisdom has taught you that when someone judges, it's truly all about them and their perceptions.
~You are much more stable emotionally, because you don't have a desire to let drama into your life, or to create it.
~ You are calmer. You've survived the angst. The chaos. The growing pains.
~ You accept and embrace being open to life. You've learned time and time again that setting a rigid path for your life is small, and limiting.  That life always has a better idea for you in store.
~ You get braver every year. The more you get to know yourself, and what's true for you, the less time you're willing to waste forcing a fit or making yourself stay somewhere because it's an old version of what you once wanted. The only option is to grow.
~ You love the growth.
~ You understand that your imperfections are perfection. You are a one of a kind living breathing creature existing right now in space and time on planet earth.  Aren't you lucky! I read somewhere recently, "just to breathe is enough".  You're starting to get it.
~ You see the stark difference between the way you live in self absorption in your youth, and how you now long for the experiences that take you outside of yourself. You relish in this difference. It's real.
~You only have time for what's real, and authentic.
~ You don't feel a need to be anything other than what you are. No facades, no elaborating. You are who you are, and you know it's enough.


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Thanks for reading,


Deena Marie

To the women.

Just a thank you to the women in my life.
As I've grown up I've come to appreciate you all more.
To value, cherish, to need you.
Family and friends.

To those who've stood by me through hard times.
To those who've listened.
To those who asked the questions to help me clear my heart and head.
To those who asked nothing, but were simply there by my side.
To those who moved on along with me when life carried me to all sorts of unexpected places.
To those who revealed your deepest secrets to me, to let me know I wasn't alone.
To those who were there before and could tell me what they learned.
To those who've never been there but still loved me unconditionally.
To those who have always made an effort to be a presence in my life.
To those who have seen me cry.
To those who have seen me flounder.
To those who have celebrated successes with me.
To those who have let me talk and talk about the same thing in circles, because I needed to.
To those who changed my diaper, played barbies with me, let me play dress up in your clothes.
To those who didn't tell me what to do, but told me they'd love me no matter what.
To those who went to bat for me.
To those who encouraged me.
To those who raised me, who taught me to walk, and talk.
To those I don't remember who met me as a baby and would never see me grow up.
To those who I am named after.
To those who let me be me.
To those who continue to make the effort to get to know the me I am in the present, now, today, as I change through the years.
To those who taught me to cherish the value of female relationships, simply by being you.
To those who've brought me a sense of sisterhood.
To those who have gone above and beyond for me and leave me wondering how I'll ever repay you.
To those soul sisters, who regardless of location, makes me feel loved by our unwavering connection.
To those I've never met in person but who give me strength from afar because of how brave you are.
To those who teach me in ways they'll never know not to shrink but to grow.


Deena Marie