Aging gracefully must be an urban myth. For sure, it's an oxymoron, like "jumbo shrimp." The definition of aging gracefully doesn't exist. Aging gracefully has nothing to do with becoming a beautiful old woman. You can be a beautiful old lady without aging gracefully. Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, aging gracefully is solely a personal opinion based on a variety of stimuli.

Let's consider some things that usually are generally associated with the expectations of aging gracefully:

Dress - age appropriate clothing and accessories
Subdued make up, hair styles, and hair color
Plastic Surgery - too much/not enough
Curtailed Activities - drinking, sex, dancing
Enhanced Abilities - crafting, i.e. knitting, crocheting, most all handicrafts, cooking, especially baking
Ability to walk independently without assistance

Let's face facts, aging really is hard work. To age with dubious elements of grace is imposing yet an additional burden. You should feel free in old age, actually at any age. Throw caution to the wind! Be whatever you want to be, and know that it's OK to violate the trumped up ungoverned rules of gracefully aging. After all, It's merely an ageism.

To be a beautiful old woman, you should start following some of these suggestions now:

Start smiling more, even at strangers
Go with your gut, listen to your heart speak, don't over rationalize
Forget about who is right and who is wrong. It never really matters, anyway.
Find your peace. Make amends, drop all grudges, learn to be of compassion
Develop your spirituality
Listen more, hear what's being said
Be about the truth, it's so much easier
Rest your mind and your body, lose your stress and stress related patterns
Nourish your body and your soul with good food, fine music, and other pleasures of life
Rejoice, celebrate your life, and do it often
Learn that no is a good word. Excuses are not always necessary.
Don't live in your past, should have, would have, could haves, serve no purpose
Don't worry about your future, live for the day, relish the moment
Embrace change, go with it, not against it
Material things can be replaced,they're just stuff. However, your memories are to last forever.
Know that everyday is school. Knowledge is growth.
Live, live, live, have fun, do good deeds, eat cake with frosting
Lose your fears
You must feel beautiful to be beautiful
Give love, get love
Avoid pain

Never fret about what is, or what isn't, considered to be age appropriate. Do what feels right to you. Oh yeah, there's one more really important thing for you to remember to do on a daily basis if you want to become a beautiful old lady - moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Learn more about this author, Theo Chester.
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