The Shock of Seeing Yourself

My brother Matt posted some photos of me taken during last week's visit to DC. Goodness, I look like my mom. That 40 factor is kicking-in rather quickly. Here's the best shot - me and Matt displaying our Swatches a the Easter brunch.

A ReGenXer Contemplates 40

A few months ago my aunt asked me how I was planning to celebrate my 40th birthday next year. The question took me by huge surprise as I hadn't even been thinking about my "big 40". Gosh, I was just settling into being 39.

After getting over the initial shock of the question I started experiencing a series of emotions. Disappointment came up. My dreams of starting a family had been derailed, temporarily, with the end of my marriage. But that feeling of loss was soon replaced by anticipation. What would my life look like in 6 months?



Now I am seeing my March 8 birthday as a benchmark. It is a start, end and continuation date. This relates to the articulation of my personal and professional goals. What drives me forward? What gets my mojo pumping?



Ultimately I am working towards a huge and ongoing celebration of me and my friends who are, in bulk, also turning 40 next year. I propose that we embrace the year, savor our friendships, rejoice in our evolution and reaffirm our dreams.



Bring it on!

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Pursed Lips

I've been noticing in photos of myself that I often have pursed lips. My lips are tightly wound and little fractured lines are starting to appear on the upper lip. Plus, I'm developing sour looking lines like jowls on my lower lip. This is a very bad development. I think I need to create a little touchstone reminder for myself not to clench my lips when I'm thinking, walking, writing, working. Or is this just a sign of nearing 40?

Here's a website for people who obsess about jowls - aka everyone.

One solution I did notice for myself - if I smile I don't clench my lips. More smiling, less jowling.