by Gregory P. Mac

Created on: April 05, 2009   Last Updated: April 10, 2009

The photos were displayed all over the Internet. A photographer had snapped a world famous movie star in her bikini as she vacationed in Italy. Almost everyone agreed that she looked fit, fabulous and absolutely stunning. An everyday occurrence, right? Perhaps it would have been, except that the celebrity was Helen Mirren, just days shy of her 63rd birthday.

No longer are mature women brushed aside, relegated to baking cookies and knitting scarves. Whatever your opinion of "cougars" (women who date much younger men, in case you hadn't heard) might be, the fact remains. Older women are considered desirable by today's society for their experience, their maturity and for their beauty. Women who reach a certain age tend to gain perspective, focusing on the important things in life. They tend to give wise counsel, hold riveting conversations and form valuable friendships.

This is the woman of the future older, wiser and absolutely stunning. So how do you become this woman? It's easy. Follow these simple steps and you'll be well on your way.

Stay fit. No one expects you to have the body you had when you were eighteen, but if you want to have the energy to live a robust life, fitness is essential. Luckily, becoming and staying healthy doesn't have to be a chore. In fact, it can be downright fun. Join a gym, take brisk walks with a friend, bicycle, swim, ski, dance, take an aerobics class. It doesn't matter. Do activities you enjoy. They also are a great way to meet new friends.

Eat right. The more natural, unprocessed food you have in your diet, the better. Keep veggies and fruit in plain sight and you'll tend to eat more of them. Drink plenty of water.

Live in the now, and with gratitude. It may seem paradoxical, but being thankful for what you have now is the best way to draw more blessings into your life. Help those less fortunate. Pray, meditate or visualize. Imagine the things you want happening. See them clearly. Feel all the emotions associated with them. Don't worry about how they will happen. Your powerful subconscious mind will search for a way.

Stimulate your mind. Travel. Learn new skills. Scientists used to think that we were born with a finite number of brain cells, and once they died off, they were gone forever. Studies now show that the brain forms new cells and new connections throughout life. Unfortunately, these studies also indicate that these cells have a "use it or lose it" property. Putting them to use greatly improves their survivability. So, when you learn a new language or take that guitar class you've been putting off, you may just be doing your mind a big favor.

Enjoy life. Our emotions are influenced by our hormones, but the converse is also true. Smile and the whole world really will smile with you. See yourself as fabulous and vibrant, and everyone else will also.

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