Hi all.
This post is more of an add on to Patti Jean's "letter to my younger self". So rather than hijack that post I thought I would create a new one to dispense some advice for CDers with a bit of fun building on Baz Luhrmann's "Everyone is free to wear sunscreen" with a CD theme. Hope you enjoy.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…I will dispense this advice now.
If you are just starting out enjoy the power and beauty of your youth and its ability to allow you the latitude to pass/blend or just enjoy being out. Oh never mind, you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded and you find yourself looking back at photos and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.
Don’t worry about what people think but if you choose to worry, know that worrying is as effective as trying to hide five o'clock shadow without the benefit of a sharp razor, a good beard cover and foundation.
The real troubles in your journey are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind. The kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday when you realize your make-up is failing and you still have to take the bus home from downtown during rush hour.
Do one thing every day that makes you feel good.
Talk in a femme voice and if you still sound like a guy, who cares
Don’t be reckless with your SO's feelings or the feelings of family and friends. Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Moisturize it is good for your skin
Don’t waste your time on jealousy of those who make prettier girls or those who get out. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive and forget the insults.
Keep your old dresses because you never know when the might come back in style.
Store .. . don't purge
You may discover yourself at 17 but then again some may not know until they are 47. The important thing is accepting yourself once you get there.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone. Especially if you plan to wear heels past 40.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, make the most of your life because it is the only one you have.
Enjoy your body, use your strengths to offset your weaknesses. Don’t be afraid of it, or what other people
think of your presentation, it is your body to do with as you please.
Dance…even if it is only in the privacy of your basement.
Read the directions on home laser hair removal machines to not do so would be bad.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Accept certain inalienable truths if you decide to go out for nobody truly passes. Some people will laugh others will point and some won't care. Own the moment and act like you belong or you will look out of place. Maintain a healthy sense of caution as it will go a long way in ensuring you can enjoy yourself
Don’t expect everyone to support you. Understand that friends come and go, but hold on to those who can truly accept who you are for they are a precious few.
Don’t get nostalgic for thinning hair that is what wigs are for.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen…
Hugs
Isha
