Hey guys,Do you know that song, "Everyone's Free (to Wear Sunscreen)" by Baz Luhrman? It was taken from Mary Schmich's Chicago Tribune column about what she'd say if invited to be a commencement speaker for the class of '97. It's a recitation of some of Mary's wry advice set to a cool beat. You should download it if you've never heard it.
Anyway, it has some great advice -- one of my favorite pieces being :
"Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. "
http://http//www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-970601sunscreen,0,4664776.column
My friends and I never realized this in high school -- that we were at the peak of our energy levels -- and things were so ripe with possibility. Sure, when you get older the possiblities are there, but you have to work so much harder to generate the energy. ;) I'm just saying you don't see a whole lot of 70 year-olds pulling all nighters to work on a project, or partying until dawn.
So enjoy your strength and energy and realize how beautiful you are. Don't accept what others tell you you are -- be what you will be. Enjoy yourself -- don't nitpick about the things you don't like about yourself! Everyone has them. Realize that you're great the way you are.
I guess that's what (in my 30's) I'm beginning to learn. If only I'd known it back then...
Do you know that song? What advice stands out for you?
Hugs, Beautiful Peeps!
Heather
Heather Davis is the author of
Never Cry Werewolf
Coming from HarperCollins in April 2009
What I'm reading: Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (Dark faeries, a hot human protector, and intrigue) It's great!
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6 comments:
So true, Heather! Great advice!
My friend, who's in her early thirties, went on a tropical vacation and wore this really retro-hip white bikini. She scrapbooked those photos and I thought she looked amazing but to be honest, I've never been one to display photos of me in a bathing suit. (I'd have to dig really deep to even find one.) She said what you're saying, that someday when she's older and her body isn't quite so perky, she'll appreciate those photos even more. And when my mom went to the Grand Canyon with her friend from China, her friend wanted my mom to take her photo in her (modest but cute) bathing suit. Now, her friend is probaby 50 or so, and she posed like a swimsuit model. Why? She wanted to prove to her grandkids that they have a sexy grandma.
This is so true, Heather. When I look back on hs pics I can't believe the way I used to feel about myself, internally and externally. I didn't believe in myself nearly enough.
Great post!
I can't wait to read Melissa's book, she's a fellow 2k7'r!
Absolutely, Heather! As I've said, I feel I wasted a lot of youthful time daydreaming, and also being self-critical. And like you said, it's not until the energy starts to fade a little that you realize what you had...
Oooh, I love that song! it's one of those "true" songs that you just have to listen to.
My favourite part of the song:
Dont waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind...the race is long, and in the end its only with yourself.
So true...
That song still makes me smile! For my favorite bit, I'll have to say:
Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.
I try not to worry, but some days...
Excellent post, Heather. And, good advice. I have been guilty of looking back and pictures and thinking "I was NOT fat," although I always felt I was. Sad the things we convince ourselves of. Self-confidence is a huge thing!
Hugs,
Marley = )
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