One line from the movie wraps around my heart, "The flowers of Yorkshire are like the women of Yorkshire; every stage of growth has its own beauty, but the last stage is the most glorious." These words inspire me to see the beauty of age. Yes, the beauty of contribution. We've all contributed something worthwhile, haven't we?
My constant coffee table book is Wise Women--A Celebration of Their Insights, Courage, and Beauty (published in 2002) presenting photographs by Joyce Tenneson. The book not only features the amazing images of women from 65 to 100 years of age, but offers their thoughts on life.
Here are some of the thoughts that keep me grounded in their wisdom...
The most important thing is to try and enjoy life
--because you never know when it will be gone.
If you wake up in the morning and you have a choice between doing the laundry
and taking a walk in the park, go for the walk.
You'd hate to die and realize you had spent your last day doing the laundry!
---Christine Lee
Life is short but it is wide--it is so magical
--filled with mystery and wonder.
Butterflies are special to me.
Their life is the examined life--it has passion, purpose, and a destiny.
---Joan D'Arcy
A sage knows there is both the wisdom of the universe and of man
--and finds a balance between the two.
---Clara Holm
I went to a Quaker boarding school. They believed in fostering the one or two things
they saw as your center. For me it was acting.
I've never been interested in "success," which is so ephemeral.
For me success is having the respect and love of people who truly know you.
---Dame Judi Dench
I don't need a mirror to see how I look.
Long ago, I realized the inner self is visible
if you present yourself truthfully and authentically.
I'm comfortable with getting older. I have lived a good life.
---Geraldine Smith
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