This is a quote from author Amanda Prowse which I heard recently on Channel 5’s ‘The Wright Stuff’.
She talks a lot of sense, and you can tell I liked what I heard that day as she also features in my previous blog ‘All Her Possessions Fit Into One Carry-on Suitcase?’. 
On this occasion she also talked about ageing. She’d noticed how much time (and money) she was spending dyeing her hair and getting Botox injections – all to avoid signs of growing older.
She’d asked herself, and others, why we do this and the answer that came back was:
“Because everyone does.”
And she thought:
“… so how about everyone doesn’t?”
So ten months ago she stopped dyeing her hair and having Botox injections. She’s modest in her expectations of the impact this might have on other people:
“I don’t think I’m going to change the world but I can change my part of it.”
This fits well with my ethos of making (small) differences where we can and leading by example.
And of course, every movement, every revolution, every meaningful cultural or attitudinal change all started with one person, or a few people, speaking out.
Youth and youthful looks are wonderful in their own right, but why do we feel we have to cling on to them quite so hard in the Western world?
Is it time to think about how and why we ‘follow the herd’?
There was a time when we valued age and experience (some other cultures still do) – I’d like to see us recapture some of that.
And I’m not just saying this because that’s the stage in life I’m now approaching myself – I promise! 
I thought Prowse’s sentiment about ageing being ‘a privilege’ was really powerful – based on the fact that not everyone does age – some die early, before ‘their time’.
A sad and sobering thought perhaps, but one which can also be harnessed for good.
It might help us accept the ageing process with gratitude and grace.
Our age is nothing to be ashamed of.
With it comes 
wisdom and, for a lot if us, a clearer sense of what’s really important in life.
Grey hairs and wrinkles are evidence of a life lived – and we have them because we’re still here.
Prowse also said:
“It’s OK to love who and how you are.”
Which I fully support.
As for me, I’m not sure I’m quite ready to give up my hair dye as yet – but I have managed to resist the lure of Botox, fillers, nips and tucks.
So I reckon I’m on the road somewhere… What about you?
Whole People 