as the Lenten season begins, I start to wonder about giving something up for lent. I don't quite understand the whole concept of it but I feel drawn to participate in this tradition.
so what must I give up? [and please bare with me as I waffle on..you will see where i am going with this]
I was thinking coffee but I only have one a day.. and not chocolate ~ heaven forbid that! not alcohol or smoking because I do neither..so what to give up for lent? I sat in silence and as my mind started to wander as it does.. I kept thinking of how I am aging, how my nose is too bulbous. my tuckshop arms and my jowls that sag more and more each day. [yes, I am hard on myself]
note the turkey neck.. and the double chin & the nose, oh the nose.I don't like my double chin or my wrinkles that are developing as I get older .. I sat, with my thoughts, criticising myself.
And then. the thought.. give up criticizing myself. that's it. for the whole time of this Lenten season I am going to stop criticizing myself . and not just for Lent.. I am going to stop this constant criticizing of self..
[yes, I am very critical of myself & I sound vain, which truly I am not]
so the deal is ~ I am going to fall in love with every single wrinkle, sagging jowls, turkey neck and double chins. even the hair that has started to sprout from that chin. fall in love with the lot. accept myself as perfect just the way I am. love every single cell, every single wrinkle.
and I am going to honour this body.. by eating well. eating even better than I do now. and I am going to limit chocolate, just limit it mind you.. because I am a woman of a certain age.. the words 'high cholesterol' loom on the horizon.. Dear God, you have given me jowls, turkey neck and bulbous nose and now you give me high cholesterol?.. don't you think that is a bit much for one girl to bear?
[& thank YOU for the continuing comments.. I am a little behind in visiting blogs.. the lump and blood results are playing on my mind]
13 comments:
You are one of the the most beautiful women I know. Your warmth and loving nature cover all wrinkles and I see you as being a wise woman on your life journey. And surely that means that a wrinkle or two is acceptable as signs of the depth of your soul.
Take care dear friend and know that we will be here holding you in our thoughts.
love
xx
Love every cell - and may they all be good ones. What an inspiring little post!
Hooray! What a wonderful thing to give up! The only thing that matters about any of us is our heart and soul. Your true beauty is there and easily seen, Miss*R!
That's the best Lenten giving-up I've heard. You know, when you smile or laugh, it takes years off your face!!! Somehow all those lines and wrinkles dissolve.
xoxo
I feel as if I finally got to meet you. That's a great idea for Lent. I hate my picture taken as well and avoid it whenever possible. I always look so fat...but the fact is, I've gained weight. Picture or not...I'm chubby...so I have to learn to stop criticizing it.
Mary
Sounds a great idea to me. I have those jowls too!
Oh my, the tears are welling up in my eyes as I write this..As I began to read I said to myself, stop criticizing yourself!! You are hard on yerself and critical..I Relate!! Treat yourself like a queen...buy some pretty clothes,awesome shoes that you wouldn't dream of getting for yourself before!! The time is Now...You sound like such a lovely,fun woman...I can't wait to have tea with that silver tea set!!!Rock on, you are a goddess..Cynthia Wolff
I love what Fire Byrd wrote, how true and so perfect. I'm also very critical of myself, maybe I should take a leaf out of your book Robyn♥ I love your very wise words. xoxo
Fire Byrd's opening comment was exactly my thoughts too. I laughed when I read it first up, because it is the first thought that came to my mind that you are indeed one of the most beautiful women I know. My delight at finding your blog had nothing to do with noses and jowels, rather that "here at last, is an understanding and beautiful soul who and has depth, wisdom and understanding". Being on the wrong side of 50 now, I've decided to add to my indulgences rather than take them away, even temporarily.(I may get hit by a bus after foregoing that Haigh's chocolate!!) For Lent, I'm giving up giving up enjoyable things.
I think that is a great thing to give up .Fire Byrd is right you are a beautiful woman. I use to look alot younger than my age and this ( I thought )was sort of my attribute. But since turning 50 ( I'm now 53)I have developed wrinkles and jowels etc and use to beat myself up regularly about this.(guess it doesn't help that my partner is 16 years younger lol)But I am learning to accept and love myself more and realise i have lots to offer , and that my ageing features are insignificantxx
You are a beautiful Goddess, Robyn! It's so important to love our bodies and appreciate the fact that they've gotten us this far and in tact. I think you have made a perfect choice for lent. xo
Good for you! No more criticizing yourself! You are unique and beautiful and perfect because you are YOU! Look in the mirror each day and say "I love you"....and mean it.
It is said that if you are able to do something for 40-90 days it becomes a habit or an accepted practice. This is why we try to do something to improve our walk on this earth during this time of preparation for the Eastering of our very selves.(after all, what difference does it really make if one man accomplished the impossible if we can't all accomplished this too?) The Eastering of Humanity! So we prepare ourselves for another round of evolution.....I like what you are giving up. Those of us who love you think you are excellent and beautiful just the way you are....hugs
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