Over 40 and we feel that wrinkles abound. Beth Teitell's new book Drinking Problems at the Fountain of Youth, 2008, published by Harper Collins Books takes a refreshing and funny look at the trails and traumas of growing older today. This delightful book is filled, absolutely filled with wonderful events that I have personally experienced or have at the very least heard of! It is wonderfully written and written in a tone to laugh together. From blond hair to wrinkles to all the advertising hype of “youth”. As Beth Teitell aptly opens with a quote from Mae West “You’re never too old to become younger.”

She details later in the book the Dove study and how the media has played a pivotal role in creating the demand for youth. She aptly advises that wrinkles do no automatically equate with unhappiness.

The yoga-face-lift class is something I have never experienced but I felt that I had walked in her shoes with her quick wit and detailed descriptions of the event.

My favorite part of the book was if I might quote “Nobody focuses on your wrinkles but you…but what people do focus on is how you hold yourself. It’s part of the Western mind-set to focus on the microscopic. Alignment is an antidote to old age. If you walk posturally correct, you look ten to twenty years younger.” And for a fitness professional who is only 5’2” – always looking for more inches and protecting my back those are great words of wisdom. This book is a gem of great wisdom and quotes throughout the ages.

Written in upbeat style that all of us can relate to while providing great thoughts about our aging process, the book is easy to thumb though and pick and choose and share with your closest friends. Yes, she will dive in and quote Darwinian terms and scientific linkages to the sexiest of long hair (which us older gals are not suppose to have by the way). Her review of blond hair and the tightrope act between “brassy” and classy is a delightful composition.

As a female over 40, I say hurray for exposing the feelings we have as we age, I say hurray for her reassurances throughout the book, I say hurray for her affirmation that there is life for a female after age 40.

Women deserve to be celebrated for their real beauty.

As we age, we need to be happy with ourselves including our looks.

As the many technologies change and we learn that the art of advertising is simply that ART not real beauty, we learn that we are not suppose to look lke the cover of the magazine.

We need "real beauty" training not just for the aging but also for the youth and diversity.

Real beauty is being happy from within and letting it shines through. Let me share a personal story with you.

I spend one morning a week at a local hospital. This time I chose to volunteer at the front desk. Before for years I was tucked away into the gift shop with all the healthy visitors. Rarely did someone come down from their room to shop in our gift shop. More importantly, the amount of traffic was very limited. This is not the case at the front desk. And then, I work from 7-11 or sometimes (if I wake up early) from 6 -11. This timeframe is busy and I love it. And I adore the variety of patients and visitors we see.

The front desk at Lakeland probably has more diversity than many other hospitals. It is not uncommon to have residents from the mega mansions and other "household names" use our facility. In fact, one of the ladies who was in our waiting room was a top Ford model. I had just seen an article about her and quickly recognized her. So our front desk has a microcosm of society from the very elite to the working class to the farmers to the very poor. Most of our patients are relatively well. For the most part, the extreme cases are typically at the ER, not the hospital front desk.

One day a friend from church stopped in. I am new to this area and to the hospital so it is very rare for me to know anyone. This friend from church is the lead soloist in the choir. A beautiful lady inside and out. Additionally, she guides the prayer group and her speaking voice is just a soothing as her singing voice. In fact, I have suggested that she create an audio tape meditation and prayer. Her voice is that good!

So that is the background of this beautiful lady. After she left the front counter and escorted into a private room, I had no less than two staff people literally run to the counter and ask IF I had seen that beautiful women who walked in?! Later I shared with her this "3rd hand compliment" (aren't 3rd hand compliments the very best - you know they are real - no posturing for attention...). Her reply with no hesitancy was a sweet thanks you "it is not me, it is Jesus." Talk about a beautiful women, she doesn't even take credit for her own beauty!

Beth Teitell's new book Drinking Problems at the Fountain of Youth, 2008 aging gracefully is appreciated by millions of females over 40 fighting the changes in skin tone and hair color. Real beauty is ....here is my favorite quote:

Khalil Gibran, (1883 - 1931)
Beauty is not in the face;
beauty is a light in the heart.

Please share with us your insights on beauty

When considering plastic surgery, consider it very carefully. The article below details the pitfalls but also does a wonderful job of showing the other side of the equation - plastic surgery gone wrong, see Worst Celebrity Plastic Surgery Jobs linked below:

... the light that shines withinn..

...  knowing who you are, how you help, how you bring happiness.

... a friend who lends support.

... a mother's love.