Thursday, October 8, 2009

Evolving...

WRITERS WORKSHOP PROMPT:
When I look in the mirror...





When I look in the mirror I know that it is time for me to evolve. I came to this realization two years ago when I looked into the mirror and for the first time said, "Holy moly it's really happening! I'm starting to look old(er)." I wish I could tell you that I handled this change with grace and dignity, but truth be told, it FREAKED ME OUT. I spent a great deal of time and money trying to find the perfect fix for my new "infirmity" but knowing that whatever I found would only be a temporary fix flat out depressed me. So I had a choice to make. Either remain depressed or evolve.

Evolve into the person that I truely came to this earth to become. I realized that growing old(er) is a wonderful gift. A time to forget the superficial and focus on the sublime. As was confirmed to me when I read in 2 Corinthians 4:16

...but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

So I decided that instead of mourning the loss of my outward youth I would rejoice in and work at developing that which will never perish, THE INWARD ME.

I delight in knowing that if I work at it, someday I just might be as amazing as this wonderful woman. Marjorie Pay Hinckley wife of the late LDS Prophet Gordon B Hinckley. I admire the attitude, sense of humor and wisdom she shared with the earth. She is a great example to me and if growing old means that I have a chance of being anything like she was, then I can honestly say that I look forward to it. I look forward to EVOLVING.



And the thought of becoming a little old lady side by side with my little old man is a sweet thought indeed.

My dream is that we will be able to hobble along together wearing out our lives in the service of our God. And if I can do this I know that when I look into the mirror true beauty will shine back at me for I will have evolved into someone far more beautiful than I ever was before.
.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.
~1 John 2:15-17




9 comments:

junebug said...

I love watching old couples still in love. My grandparents were like that and I hope to be. :-) Great post.

KatBouska said...

So sweet! I too, have notices some VERY fine lines creeping into my face. I don't like it. I can't even IMAGINE myself as that little old lady...we have some time left, right!?!

Lene said...

I have learned to like my wrinkles around my eyes. Wrinkles mean I have been smiling. I just wish I could do something about the stupid gray hairs that keep showing up.

Tara McClendon said...

Great post. I want to be the old couple, as well. But I'm not ready to show my age.

Margaret aka: Fact Woman said...

This is so true. God makes us to focus on growing closer to him and not on our fleeting outward looks. Inward beauty. As I always tell my kids, Pretty Is as Pretty Does. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful post.

Simply Valorie said...

This is AWESOME. I love old people, they're so cute. :) And it's awesome that you have such a healthy perspective on it, I just hope someday I can handle it with all the grace you have.

The Cranes said...

You're helping me have a better attitude about getting old(er). I have been a little freaked out about it myself for a few years now! Since I always looked way younger than I was as a child/teenager, I thought it would never happen to me (looking old, that is.)

4boyzmdmom said...

Evolve, not just grow old(er)--I love it!!

Becky aka tata! said...

Hinkley's are my favorite..