Counting my blessings

[size=4]I was sitting here, all dressed up and nowhere to go, and thinking about how I wish things were different. I mean, a couple of hours ago I was getting dressed and made up and looking at myself in the mirror, and I thought "Why does it have to be so difficult? Here I am, 60 years old, built like a man, balding, with a man's voice, a big nose and adams apple, and I'm trying to make myself look like a woman - who am I kidding?"[/size]
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[size=4]This isn't a cry for help, I'm actually very happy to be finding my true self (with a lot of help and inspiration from the girls here), I just feel that the materials I'm working with are not ideal for the purpose I'm trying to adapt them to.[/size]
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[size=4]But then I started to see the full half of my glass. I have good health and all my faculties work reasonably well. Living alone, I can do pretty much as I please, and my heart goes out to those of you who are restricted by circumstances as to when and how much you can express yourselves. I can go to work looking fairly feminine (nail polish, subtle lipstick, women's trousers) and I can afford to buy myself the odd treat, some new clothes, makeup, etc when I need them. The inadequate part of my anatomy that used to be an embarrassment in my male life (yes, that) is now less of a problem than some better-equipped guys have to deal with; it hardly notices in my panties, and doesn't bulge at all under skirts, even flimsy ones. And, of course, I can come here for a chat with all you lovely girls.[/size]
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[size=4]I also realised that many real women of my age are struggling with our concept of beauty. Our society puts a premium on beauty, and women have to walk the treadmill; if they are not naturally beautiful, they feel second-class. And if they have had beauty when younger and now see that beauty ebbing, that must be so upsetting.[/size]
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[size=4]So, what I'm saying is that I am really blessed. Ok, I have to deal with a few things that are less than perfect, but that's life, isn't it? We all have some blessings and some challenges, I've just got to focus on the blessings and move forward.[/size]
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Originally Posted by Natalie Sweet

[size=4]I was sitting here, all dressed up and nowhere to go, and thinking about how I wish things were different. I mean, a couple of hours ago I was getting dressed and made up and looking at myself in the mirror, and I thought "Why does it have to be so difficult? Here I am, 60 years old, built like a man, balding, with a man's voice, a big nose and adams apple, and I'm trying to make myself look like a woman - who am I kidding?"[/size]
[size=4][/size]
[size=4]This isn't a cry for help, I'm actually very happy to be finding my true self (with a lot of help and inspiration from the girls here), I just feel that the materials I'm working with are not ideal for the purpose I'm trying to adapt them to.[/size]
[size=4][/size]
[size=4]But then I started to see the full half of my glass. I have good health and all my faculties work reasonably well. Living alone, I can do pretty much as I please, and my heart goes out to those of you who are restricted by circumstances as to when and how much you can express yourselves. I can go to work looking fairly feminine (nail polish, subtle lipstick, women's trousers) and I can afford to buy myself the odd treat, some new clothes, makeup, etc when I need them. The inadequate part of my anatomy that used to be an embarrassment in my male life (yes, that) is now less of a problem than some better-equipped guys have to deal with; it hardly notices in my panties, and doesn't bulge at all under skirts, even flimsy ones. And, of course, I can come here for a chat with all you lovely girls.[/size]
[size=4][/size]
[size=4]I also realised that many real women of my age are struggling with our concept of beauty. Our society puts a premium on beauty, and women have to walk the treadmill; if they are not naturally beautiful, they feel second-class. And if they have had beauty when younger and now see that beauty ebbing, that must be so upsetting.[/size]
[size=4][/size]
[size=4]So, what I'm saying is that I am really blessed. Ok, I have to deal with a few things that are less than perfect, but that's life, isn't it? We all have some blessings and some challenges, I've just got to focus on the blessings and move forward.[/size]
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WOW !
i wish i could have expressed it that well !
ah i am only 57
daa

m

Well..... 60?? you're 60?? you don't look 60 at all..... so whatever your doing... keep it up, you look fab :hugs:

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We all have some blessings and some challenges, I've just got to focus on the blessings and move forward.

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That's the key. Focusing on doubt won't get anywhere, first step toward true happiness is being happy with yourself as you are. We can do all sorts of things to change appearance but you can't change what you are inside. ;)

:hugs:

And if they have had beauty when younger and now see that beauty ebbing, that must be so upsetting.


It's only upsetting if you have spent most of your life caring way too much about your outer beauty without developing an inner one.

The people who are most attractive--at any age-- are the ones that regard their beauty as the frosting rather than the whole cake and care far more about what's really important.

I recently saw Lauren Bacall on an interview and she looked her age (no surgery as far as I could tell) and was wearing very little makeup and her hair was very simple, as were her clothes. She's 81.

She also looked and acted like a true star, and was utterly gorgeous.

60???????? look good real good.....wow you rock girlfreind........

Thanks girls, its all clever camera stuff.

Maude, you're just a child! :D

Susan, that's a valid point, thanks

Hey, I'm still sitting here, done up to the nines, from wig to 3 inch heels and still nowhere to go. Anybody want dinner?

Natalie,

When I was first coming out and starting transition I was also woried that my appearance would be an issue - I am also very tall, built like a guy, and was worried that people would not accept what and who I am. But those fears have proved groundless - In almost three years of being an out transwoman I've found that people will accept you for what you appear to be as long as you act confident and try as best you can to blend in. My sister sent me the attached piece when I first came out as her way of saying that she accepted me and what and who I needed to be. I'll share it with you and the others here in the spirit in which it was sent.

The Cracked Pot

A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a
pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it,
while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of
water.

At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the
cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on
daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water
to his house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for
which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own
imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of
what it had been made to do.

After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to
the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and
because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back
to your house."

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only
on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's
because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds
on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've
watered them.

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to
decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would
not be this beauty to grace the house"

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots.

But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together
so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person
for what they are, and look for the good in them.

Blessings to all my crackpot friends!!!

Thanks, Alice, that's beautiful. I got choked up as I read it.

xx

honey you said it better than any one i know youve truely found peace with in your self and are very content and very confidant!! im pushing close to fifty well not that close il be 46 and why do you do this for your self youve found your own majic mirror in my heart i wish others could find theres xxxxxxxxx

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Originally Posted by Maude

WOW !
i wish i could have expressed it that well !
ah i am only 57
daa

m

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There seems to be a lot of us gals that are near or over 60. I'm 65 and will be 66 shortly. Sometimes it's hard to try to keep up with the young gals on this forum. It's sure sweet to try.:flirt:

Vivian