40 IS the New 40
By Michelle Gamble-Risley, co-author, Second Bloom

Who started these phrases, "40 is the new 30," or "50 is the new 40?" We have a question, "Why isn't it okay to say, "40 is the new 40?"
Our youth-obsessed culture drives so many women to feel anxiety around birthdays and add increased digits to their ages. In fact, dozens of famous women have outright lied about their ages just to avoid the public perception that they're getting e-gads, "older." Oh, the very idea of "older" sends many women to the bar to down a few Margaritas and forget their age sorrow.

Getting "older" comes to us all. You can take as many trips to the Botox bar as you like and age will still tick forward. You can eject, pull or pump full but underneath the chemical peels you're still 40 or 50 or 60 - and we all know it. OR you can embrace your age, revel in it, and feel proud, "Thank God I'm not 25 anymore!" Yes, did you really enjoy your 20s the same way you did your 30s or 40s or 50s? Really? The old saying, "youth is wasted on the young," has truth to it.

In fact, many of us well-seasoned gals would never want to return to that young nubile skin. Our slightly wrinkled faces have come with a lot of experience and self-exploration that put on us the road to happiness and joy. When we were younger, moving up the corporate ladder, and establishing our families, the progress came with challenges to be solved and experiences to be learned. Each challenge and experience shaped and refined us to emerge as beautiful women with a purpose.

What did happiness mean in our younger years? The younger version of you probably focused so much on moving forward in life and hardly stopped to think. The older version now knows to stop, smell life, and rest on a Hawaiian beach. You have discovered the infinite joy of living comfortably in your "skin" and honoring that version of you. Do you even know any young women who feel totally at ease in their own skin? Here are some great reasons to look forward to your next birthday and proudly say your age to anyone who will ask.

You no longer question yourself. Yes, age brings confidence! You feel comfortable with who you are and no longer feel bad about it. You probably quit questioning yourself as much too. When someone thinks they know something about you that is contrary to what you know is true, you no longer buy it.

You quit apologizing for saying "no." Did you ever reach a point where you felt the need to stamp "I'm sorry" on your derriere? Your younger self may have vomited apologies in a most regretful way. Your older wiser self will no longer apologize for having needs and erecting boundaries.

Speaking of boundaries... aren't they grand? Boundaries may have been non-existent in the past but now you have smoothly poured the concrete foundation and raised the walls. Good for you! Boundaries signify the "no trespass" zone and keep you sane.

You've raised the roof and added self-esteem to it. Many older women have esteemed themselves. You won't go home drunk with that odd guy from the singles bar. You wouldn't think of debasing yourself that way. You value who you are and how you want to be in this world. Low self-esteem starts to fizzle replaced with a "flat" and "calm" drink that goes down the hatch much easier!

So, you see: Age can be a time of self celebration! You can feel good about yourself both inside and out. And we want you to know: We still see you're a mature, wonderful woman even underneath the Botox.

Second Bloom: 10 Steps to Reinvent, Rejuvenate and Realize a new is available for sale for $19.95 on the website at www.second-bloom.com.