Consider Me Antique

Automatically, when we think of aging in this society, we think of all of the negatives, all the things we lose rather than what we gain.

This is easy because the things that change, fade or decline are mostly physical and the improvements are not. So we look in the mirror every morning and see the crow’s feet and the gray hairs. However, you can’t look in the mirror and “see” wisdom. You can’t try on a new pair of shoes and realize that you know yourself better.

Think of a piece of antique furniture. The chair or dresser is likely to have a few nicks or scratches. The finish may be worn in spots, and the drawers may stick or the chair joints may groan a bit when you sit down. But an antique dealer will tell you that the value of a piece like that doesn’t lie in its being in perfect condition. Far from it. The value is greatest for a piece whose provenance and authenticity can be seen and felt. Ironically, the imperfections of an antique—the very nicks, scratches and other blemishes that show its age--are what make it most valuable.

Similarly, we can look at ourselves and focus on all the little nicks and scars of age. We can fuss over the superficial blemishes, the signs that we are not the perfect specimens we once were. We can try to cover up, remove, fill in, buff out the surface signs of age, or we can do what the antique dealers do—look beneath the façade to see the true value that lies within. And then care for ourselves—about ourselves—in the same way we would a valuable antique—marvel at our resilience, cherish our quality and rejoice in our beauty.

So, from now on consider me antique!

brendology