For as long as I can remember, even as far back as when I was 4, I’ve been actively terrified of aging. It may sound peculiar that my fear began at such an early age… but it did.
My mom was a Russian immigrant whose daily attire consisted of a house dress without jewelry or make-up. And forget about perfume, or anything shiny… it never entered their minds to get “gussied up!” She and her friends were simple ladies, content to go about their daily chores. But, in direct contrast, I lusted for glamour as I fantasized growing up to look like a model or movie star.
Each afternoon after completing my homework, I would sprawl on the living room floor devouring the fashion magazines that were borrowed from the library. I would muse about their exciting lives and contrast them with our simple life in a low-income housing project in Brooklyn. My mother and her friends were decidedly not role models for a young, dreamer like me, so all I could do was pray that I would never grow up to be like them. And I didn’t!
As it turned out, there was a major plus in this early revulsion. Throughout my adult years, whenever I noticed any indication that I was becoming old or unattractive, I took action to stop that frightening possibility.
Well, here I am over 70, having successfully achieved my dream of life-long youthfulness and glamour. In fact, at 73, I appeared in a bathing suit for a Dolce & Gabbana ad for VOGUE, Harper’s Bazaar and Vanity Fair. So maybe the fear wasn’t so bad after all. It provided powerful motivation to work at being healthy, fit and beautiful.
Do you need to follow my lead? Of course not. We all have our separate dreams and desires. My deepest prayer is that my story will inspire and encourage you to take on the often difficult, yet always fulfilling journey to lifelong youth and happiness.
Related Articles:
10 Ways To Change Your Attitude & Change Your Aging
Health For A Lifetime-Part I: Making Small Changes for Big Results
Health For A Lifetime-Part II: Adjusting Your Mind For Better Health
