It’s the first blog of the month again, and if you’ve been followin’, you know the drill. For those of you who don’t, my book, Finding Your Inner Moose, has twelve chapters, and I’ve decided to dedicate the first blog of every month this year to a chapter. My intention is to choose a little change or two from that chapter I can incorporate into my life, hoping it becomes a habit.
Chapter Four in Finding Your Inner Moose is about aging, and today is April Fools Day. Coincidence? I think not. ‘Cause let’s face it, you gotta laugh, or you’ll cry, right?
You know what I’m talking about. Sometimes it feels like just when you’re hittin’ your stride in life – family doin’ OK, your work goin’ good, a little extra money in the bank – your body starts fallin’ apart. I mean, have you ever thrown your back out doin’ nothing? Have you suddenly come to the realization that doctors, movie stars, and the President of the United States are all younger than you are? Have you found yourself fantasizing about wearing comfortable shoes all the time, even for a big night out on the town?
Who was it who said, “At fifty, you get the face that you deserve?” I don’t mind the lines around my eyes all that much, or the laugh lines around my mouth. I figure I’ve earned those. But honey, what did I do wrong to deserve this turkey gobbler neck?
I believe in the concept of aging gracefully. To me, that means acceptin’ where you’re at, then doin’ the best you can with what you’ve got. Let’s face it, gals. After a certain age, it’s all about hidin’ and highlightin’. Throw on a colorful scarf, why don’t you, to camouflage that turkey neck. If you don’t do anything else, put on a little lipstick and use an under eye concealer. Fillin’ in your brows with a brow pencil is important, too. It helps frame your eyes. You need to do this ‘cause the hair that used to be in your eyebrows is now growin’ on your chin. Where’s the justice! And when you dress up for a special occasion, slap a spanky on under your outfit. If I can tough it out for a few hours, so can you!
As you get older, it’s important to not only stretch your body, but to stretch your mind, too. Trying new things keeps you young, right? I’m not big on crossword puzzles and games like Scrabble, but lately I’ve been on this kick of doing things with my left hand that I usually do with my right. I’ve read this is supposed to be wicked good for your brain. By using the hand you don’t usually use, it makes you slow down and think about an everyday task. It’s like doin’ it for the first time. And this is suppose to exercise parts of your brain you don’t use as much.
Try it! It’s good, wacky fun. And harder than you’d imagine. Try brushin’ your teeth, pourin’ your coffee, washing your body, brushin’ your hair or butterin’ your toast with your other hand. You may not have time to learn a second language or take a class in chair canin’, but this little exercise is doable, folks.
So anyway, that’s what I have planned for this month. I’m gonna exercise my mind by doing everyday things with the other hand. I’m buyin’ myself a fun new scarf, one that makes me think spring. And I’m going to practice smiling, even when I’m alone. Even when I don’t feel like it. ‘Cause the act of smiling makes you feel happier. It just does. Plus, it lifts up the corners of your eyes and your whole face really. Smiling is the closest I’m probably ever gonna come to gettin’ a facelift, and it’s free!
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
IDA’S PODCAST: Turkey Gobbler Neck
Comin’ up this spring:
April 11: Reading-Auburn Public Library, 6:00pm
April 12: Reading-Cancer Community Center, 6:00pm, South Portland, ME
April 16: Reading-Bangor Public Library, 2:00pm
April 16: Reading-Dirigo Pines, 7:15pm, Orono, ME
May 4: The Moose in Me, The Moose in You! to benefit the Friends of the South Berwick Library, 7:30pm, South Berwick, ME
May 9: Author Visit, Forest Hills Elementary, Jackman, ME
May 16: Reading, Walker Memorial Library, 7:00pm, Westbrook, ME
For more information on upcoming appearances, visit my website: idaswebsite.com
If you’d like me to do a reading at your library, organization or what not, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line: ida@idaswebsite.com
And if your book group wants to read Finding Your Inner Moose, I’d love to be part of the discussion. Especially if food’s involved!