Beauty, Being and Wisdom

Raw from the Road, May 4, 2016

Beauty, Being and Wisdom
Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.
Betty Friedan

Mothers, Grandmothers, Sisters, Aunts, Mentors, Friends… women who give of themselves and make great differences to our lives… We celebrate them all the time, and “Mother’s Day” reminds us to do so on this particular day as well.

This past Sunday I gave a talk on my work with Beauty and Wisdom at The C Gallery in Los Alamos, CA, and I was reminded of that part of my mission in this life:

To make visible the beautiful mature women who have paved the way for me, for you, for us all.

And also, to give women and all people an alternative view, different from how we normaly perceive beauty, being and aging.

I am more convinced than ever that aging is a state of mind. Some days I feel ridiculously young and other days I feel like I need a ramp from my bed to the bathroom! If that’s not a sign that it’s all inside your head, I don’t know what is.

During the Q&A section of my talk, someone asked me if Beauty and Wisdom is a life-long project and when I thought about it, I answered yes, it is.

I will always be an advocate for supporting good care, women and honoring our elders.

I am fortunate enough to live in a place where there are other women doing great work in this field.

People like Rona Barrett, for example: television interviewer pioneer, is currently building affordable housing for seniors right here in my hometown.

Rona speaks boldly and truthfully, and she’s not alone:

“I am drawn to faces that reveal something beyond physical beauty, faces that reflect life and experience, pain and pleasure, wisdom and weariness. What I have learned is that self-acceptance is what sets us free, and finding beauty in aging, joy in living, happiness in what is yet to come, makes the journey so extraordinary.” -Aline Smithson, excerpted from, “Beauty and Wisdom,” book by Robbie Kaye.

Self-acceptance, yes. I think I should schedule an appointment with that one.

When you think about it, it’s often the people who’ve come to terms with themselves – really accepted themselves – who have that magical sparkle in their eyes.

Old, overweight, weathered or handicapped: it’s those people who embrace ‘just as I am’ who show us a type of beauty that goes far beyond what mainstream media tells us is the definition of beauty.

So as my mission to spread the beauty continues, and as Mother’s Day approaches, I want to remind you that while you can’t ‘fix’ your mother’s age, you can at least bring a sparkle to her eye, by giving her something unique and special:

One of my ROKA limited edition silk scarves. I’ve extended the discount until May 9th – just use promo code COCO.

But maybe it’s too late, you think? The present won’t arrive on time?

Don’t worry!

Order before May 9th, and I’ll personally send your mother/sister/grandmother or loved one a note to let her know you haven’t forgotten her and that there’s something very special about to arrive at her doorstep.

We get a chance to say ‘I love you’ each day, but most days we just don’t get around to it.

Mother’s day is an excellent opportunity to say it, and say it like we mean it.

Go to Wearable Fine Art to make sure the message won’t get lost.

“Indian Sunset” scarves will be in stock again in 3 weeks. This is a limited edition of 10 and 7 are left.

Happy Mother’s Day to you all, for you ALL are the nurturers of someone or something.

Be Brave, Be Strong, Be YOU!

Robbie