The first time I gazed into a mirror as a baby, I marveled with wonder and delight at the little being filled with love and joy staring back. I smiled, pointed, and smiled again, recognizing the reflection as me. No judgment. No comparison. No worries about being enough. But as time passed, feelings of comparison, judgment, inadequacy, and disappointment crept in. My thoughts about myself clouded with doubt: “How can I fit in? How can I look more like so-and-so, be smarter, more beautiful, more liked, more loved?”
Where has that childlike wonder and self-love gone? What if I—and we—could remember that baby’s loving gaze?
I am thrilled to share that after 66 years on this planet, I am beginning to grasp it: life is meant to be lived fully and with joy. Beauty is love, and both are ageless. I don’t have to conform or be like everyone else. What a boring world it would be if we all looked the same.
With this daily Chair of JOY® practice of realizing, embracing, enhancing, and feeling our God-given beauty and love, we can step into aging with vitality, positivity, and grace.
The joyous beauty of aging is about recalling that beautiful baby image and letting go of societal and self-judgment. That is why the Chair of JOY®, JOYELY®, and Sheryl Lynn’s vision of taking time to “be one with joy” can truly transform how we see ourselves, regardless of age, appearance, and circumstance.
Daily Ask-firmations – Ask the universe, “Why am I so joyful, abundant, and energetic? Why do I love myself and others with such abundance? Why are my eyes able to see with such color, clarity, and confidence? Why do I live with daily movement, vitality, hope, and faith? Why do people want to be around my joyful presence?”
Bring these thoughts from your heart to your mirror and gaze into your eyes. You will see the truth.
This is my vision for how we can be positive and joyful in our lives as we age. There are no limits to the joy we can feel, to what we can do, and the impact we can have on others. Living an Ageless Beauty life is a gift. Live life as a queen, as a king, as a leader in your community and in the world—not in comparison, but in connection and honoring your true beauty.
Choosing to make a change, to think outside the box, and to leap with courage instead of staying where it is all about the status quo and comfort, using the JOYELY® practice as a tool and a gift, is something I am very grateful for. We are each here for a reason. I stand in unison with all of you who choose to look at yourselves with love, creativity, and awe.
I made a choice at age 65 to stand on stage at a beauty pageant with greying hair, no pantyhose, and love in my heart. I won when I made the choice to put myself out there. I was a queen before I even stepped onto that stage because I had changed the way I look at and love myself.
That is not to say there aren’t times in our lives when that exceptional joy escapes us. Honestly, sometimes it is a challenge. In this last year, I have often reached for my Chair of JOY® daily during times of losing family members and friends. It is especially tough when we face the loss of loved ones, jobs, money, and our “youth.” The practice of Sit. Breathe. Think. Feel.™ centers us and reminds us to look through those youthful, innocent baby eyes, knowing that “all is as it should be.”
Faith, Hope, and Love. The greatest of all is Love.
We are often so focused on the outward trappings and “standards” of beauty that we fail to remember that beauty is an inside job. And it starts with loving ourselves and radiating that JOY out into the world. Babies do it all the time..
“All seasons of life are beautiful. Aging is a problem only when you stop liking yourself as a person… I just feel good in my skin.” —Sophia Lohren
Book for this Week: Mind Magic by Dr. James Doty – use the image
A powerful read that reveals we already have everything we need to manifest our desires. No need to spend our valuable resources—just sit, breathe, think, and feel. The magic is within us, right where we are.
Before Terese stepped on stage at the beauty pageant, she took a moment to ground herself using the Chair of JOY® practice, bringing herself into a state of calm and confidence.
Sit – She found a quiet corner backstage, away from the hustle and noise. She sat down, closed her eyes, and allowed herself to simply be still. She embraced the power of the pause, recognizing that this moment was hers to own.
Breathe – Terese took a few deep breaths, feeling the air fill her lungs, reminding herself of the life and strength within her. Each breath brought a sense of calm and centeredness, helping her focus.
Think – With her eyes still closed, she thought of herself as a child, remembering the innocent baby who looked in the mirror with pure joy and love, free of judgment. She pictured that child smiling back at her, knowing she was enough—exactly as she was.
Feel – Terese allowed that joy to fill her entire being. She felt it melt into her heart, warming her from the inside. She let it tingle through her body, searing into her mind, reminding her that she was already a queen, simply by showing up with love and authenticity.
By the time she stepped onto the stage, she was filled with confidence, love, and the certainty that no matter the outcome, she had already won by embracing her true self.
Note to Self: Take great care.
Life matters. Your life matters.
Make time to be aware
of what brings ease and joy
laughter and lightness
fulfillment and brightness
and a sense of all rightness.
Note to Self: Take time outs
and time offs and time ins.
Step away from the cacophonous din
that could drag you down
and bedraggle you
enrage or frazzle you
stifling the JOY-full beauty
of your precious and precocious Spirit.
Note to Self: You cannot be
a mirror in which others can see
the possibility of loveliness and exuberance
while in a mindset of disturbance
or frustration or fear
when you yourself are not radiantly clear.
Note to Self: Clear mind, clear heart
clear body, clear spirit
clear storysong, clear soul.
Let clarity be your most precious
and priceless and spacious and
cherished goal.
And from that expansive
inner clarity
let your beauty shine
from the inside out
From the heart, mind, and pen of Minx Boren
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