Monday, April 1, 2013

Ageing Gracefully


Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
Mark Twain

It amuses me to no end whenever I see anti ageing advertisements promising eternal youth and beauty. A pity, that while we take immense efforts in moving ahead in life, increasing numbers of age annoys us and irks us. Why is there such a price attached to looking young forever. Why can't we mature and age gracefully ? Ageing is after all just a number. Yes there is nothing wrong in looking fit and glowing but it definitely is stupid to fight the age by hiding all the wrinkles and dyeing all the whites & grays. For one, no chemical in the world can defy ageing; secondly aren't those lines & grays a testimonial of our triumphs,struggles and challenges. They in fact are need to be worn as a badge of honour for a life well lived.

The fetish with 'outer beauty' has taken humongous proportions and it is no wonder that corporate chieftains have time and again exploited this much to their bank account's delight. Women more than men age faster but resorting to cosmetics is an unhealthy way of looking young.Besides, you really can do nothing at the genetics factor involved. However, a lot can be done to improve the physical & mental health naturally. For starters adopt a healthy lifestyle. Eat healthy, drink loads of water and incorporate physical exercises like walking or swimming . Keep your mind forever young by indulging in hobbies that stimulate you. And yes smile a lot, be cheerful. 

On a relevant note, I flinch whenever I see the latest advertisement of alpenlibe with Kajol. The little one addresses her as 'Didi' (sister) while requesting her for helping him in ringing the bell. Sister--- ? Really -- ? Now why can't we take the tag of getting older in stride. 


Embrace growing up gracefully and flaunt your age with pride 


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I am kick-starting the Blogging from A - Z April 2013 from today. A huge shout out to Arlee Bird , the brain behind the challenge. This is the first time ever that I am embarking on a blogging marathon and hope the month long posts from me maintain their edge and pace.

40 comments:

  1. My thoughts exactly, Priya. I have a few grey hair and I constantly get 'suggestions' to color my hair... when I say that I am gonna keep them like this and that I love the salt and pepper look, I get weird looks. As somebody said, any fear of aging, I think, is simply vanity!! ;)

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    1. good on you shilpa :) and yes fear of ageing is simply vanity :)

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  2. Yes so agree with your thoughts on this obsession with external beauty. Nice post. Dropping by from AtoZ

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  3. So true, Priya. It is our tendency to not be comfortable with ourselves that helps cosmetics manufacturers and others of their kind make a killing.

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  4. The growing number of cosmetics brands advertising day in and day out feed on these very insecurities of women.Having said that,as long as people use the products to please themselves and not others, it's fine by me. I color my hair too :)

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    1. I agree when u say that we must not fall prey to the society diktats of looking young . Cheers !

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  5. I have seen women with wrinkled skin but their hair is dyed black .. That just looks odd and distasteful. And I have seen so many woman with white hair who look so graceful ! As my 70 year Aunt puts it if you want to stay young laugh as much as you can and stop worrying ! Its the mental age that counts more than the physical age - And the mental age is in our hands !

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  6. I think the ads that make tall claims are downright stupid and those who believe the claims and make the companies richer are even more so.

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  7. My greying hair - which I guard safely, is a testament to the fact that I'm in my late forties - and enjoying life more than ever. Age is a state of mind, I agree.
    Nice start to the challenge, Priya.

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  8. Ya Ageing with grace is something which very few people think of. The models who get botox and other surgeries amuse me. They can go to any extent to look young and have better shapes no matter how many might be the side effects
    Welcome to A to z :)

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  9. I have a sensitive skin and I can't use cosmetics randomly. I have facial once a year...that too during summer holidays, just to pamper myself. I agree with you here.

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  10. Great post & agree with you. Age is just a number..its how you feel that is important. :)Great start to the A to Z Challenge!

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  11. I agree with you. In this day an age of botoxed expressionless faces, gracefully aging seems to be out of fashion. Which is really sad.

    I'm the minion patrolling your blog's section of the participant lists, so I'll be back again soon. :-)

    My Writing Blog
    My Life Blog

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  12. I think the broader advice of "be yourself, and be happy with it" is really at the heart of your post. Age is certainly just a number and I for one never let it bother me, even as I grow older.

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  13. I believe I am growing awesome as I am growing old!! Lovely post this is!

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  14. Love that Mark Twain quote! I like my greying hair. And aging is fun!

    This is a cute font (in the comments)! What is it called?

    Happy A to Z ing!

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  15. By the way - I am a big fan of your food blog, Bon Appetit!

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  16. Nice post, Priya! Yes, companies make a killing on beauty and youth products for sure! We seem to have this phobia to look old and talk about death when both are unfortunately inevitable!

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  17. At 67, I'm a fairly senior Bear. I once was a Brown Bear, but now I'm a Polar Bear. When I look at myself in the mirror (which one usually needs to, if one is going to comb one's hair), I feel that I am definitely all right for the shape I'm in. My wife (a year younger) looks beautiful, without all the anti-aging stuff. Shjow our ages? Yup!

    Blessings and Bear hugs.

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    1. hugs back Rob -bear :) and welcome to my space !

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  18. People are so fixated on looks these days. Had time to look at the arranged marriage scenario these days? It's surprisingly fixated on external beauty. Wonder how they'll cope once the real couple things start to set in..

    Love your comments font :)

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  19. oh well I agree that its becoming an obsession but then each to his own right? I have a lot of grey hair and I do nothing about it but I dont judge the people who want to color too... though I do use a anti ageing cream... and its not because of a number but a fact that I always think being presentable and smart is very important for a person

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    1. definitely no judging monika- to each his own indeed. but i do feel bad about the maniacal obsession it has turned in to. Cheers !

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  20. Can I say Same PINCH ? :)

    I have always admired men and women who carry their age with a grace and show it with pride displaying their gained wisdom with a smile. baki sab look like similar boxes painted and made up !!

    Interesting post !

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    1. thanks privy :) totally agree with you ! cheers

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