Someone asked Jane Fonda, now 73, how she has made it in an industry that frowns upon aging. “I’m the queen of reinvention,” she said. Or maybe that was how Oprah touted her. I’m not saying that she hasn’t used cosmetic surgery--a nip here and a tuck there--over her seven decades of life. But a new face doesn’t give you a sparkle in your eyes and a spring in your steps. Take Vickie Winans for example. She was a guest at Women’s Empowerment some two or three years ago. What struck me most wasn’t her signature swinging ponytail or her amazing vocal range. I had come to expect nothing less from Vickie. Rather, it was how she pranced up and down those steps leading up to the stage with the youthful abandonment of a teenager. How was she able to do that?! Brought to mind Betty White’s response when she was asked how she remained so vibrant in her 80’s. “I have stairs and I’m very forgetful,” she said with a chuckle.
Necessity is the mother of invention. I can’t recall who said that but I think we’ve all heard it at some time or other. I watched Liz's flashbacks of the progression of discomfort. The lifestyle of passivity she had adopted. There was no joy, no taste, no passion. She had ignored the whispers and the shouts. And now a brick had hit her up side the head. A divorce. It was now necessary to heal her broken life. I know that Eat Pray Love is just a movie. But the role of necessity in reclaiming us, growing us and reinventing us masterfully plays out in the journey of one woman.
In my youth, I think most change or reinvention, as it were, was inspired by vanity. I wanted to look, live or act a certain way to appeal to a certain group. After my divorce, however, vanity took a back seat to survival. My shopping sprees were no more as survival and providing for my son took center stage. With age has come a shift in priorities, that's for sure. It’s not just about painting the outside for curb appeal but understanding that if there are termites, faulty wiring or leaky pipes, no one cares about how cute the house is.
If it’s toning your body, forging a new career pathway or updating your wardrobe, necessity is the drive behind it. Project Runway mentor, Tim Gunn, who celebrated his 58th birthday yesterday, attributes his youthfulness to a zest for life. In an interview, he said he approaches life with a sense of wonder and excitement. He, who describes his youth as introverted and geeky, went from shy and isolated to teaching. And from teaching to becoming a style icon on a hit reality show. I don't know what inspired him but I'd bet it was to meet some type of need.
Over the past few days, I've blogged about my struggle with a sore throat, most likely caused by acid reflux. It's been a beast! Nevertheless, I have to say that it's also been a gift. The intensity of the discomfort necessitated that I do something I had not done before. Try something I had not tried before. Nexium was no longer working. Raising the head of my bed or eating more leafy vegetables wasn't enough. Not eating after 7pm and exercising brought no sustainable relief. I had to reach outside of the box and invite spiritual guidance as I sought a new path. As I reflect on the journey, its value has been greater than I could have imagined!
My throat is no longer sore! Yay! Just as valuable is the knowledge I've gained. The benefits of licorice extract, slippery elm and apple cider vinegar not only to addressing my symptoms but to my overall health. Herbs have been used for hundreds of years yet modern medicine has convinced us to pop a pill. We medicate symptoms and leave issues unresolved. We pay for convenience rather than adopting more healthy alternatives. Remedies are as close as our kitchen cabinets and we don't even know it. We spend hundreds of dollars in prescription medications when a bottle of vinegar, aloe vera juice or a 20 minute walk could bring relief. I have been forever changed by this experience.
Now, I'm ready to reinvent my environment. Sooooooo what's it gonna be? The loft or my closet?
