cracked tile, Chinatown, Canon EOS
Whenever I go to my friend Susan’s house, I see a quote that says, “Blessed are the cracked, for they let the light in.”
I think it’s true. The most vulnerable parts of ourselves, the places where we are the most tender, afraid, cracked, broken and messy, are the parts that make us the most human and endear us to one another.
Cracks.
A friend and I were chatting about aging today, how in our thirties we are seeing subtle signs, not recognizing ourself in pictures anymore, feeling puffy and lacking symmetry, chipping teeth and considering makeup for the first time since junior high school.
We know this is wrong, completely unevolved and downright vain. We both believe wholeheartedly in loving ourselves every step of the way. In theory. We love the cracks in others but have a hard time extending the same kindness to ourselves.
And yet, when I’m out taking photos, I effortlessly find beauty in those hidden, messy, discarded places.
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yes…..how easy it is for most women to love the cracks in others, to find the gorgeousness in others’ imperfections, quirks, cracks, and how hard it is to give ourselves the same generousity, the same tender care. i am trying to see myself as a loved one would…
great post!
Ohhh – so true! Really enjoy your post today!
Can’t believe I did not run into this blog before!
BBB
Oh Andrea, what you say is so true for many of us. I’ve learned to love the imperfections in life…even my own. I never would have said that in my 20’s, or maybe not even in my 30’s, but turning 40 recently has been such an amazing revelation for me. I can honestly say that when I see the “cracks”,or wrinkles, and tell tale signs of aging, I don’t freak out at all. I have lived, and earned and experienced all those “outward” signs that make me…ME! I love to look at faces with all the character that life has given them. My dear friend Monica, recently said to me, We are SOOOO…out of “babeland.” Yes we are, and I definitely am… But I wouldn’t what to go back there, EVER!! I am blessed with a strong, healthy body, an inquiring mind, a wide smile, talented hands, and a good heart. These are all I need. I still do get compliments on my looks, but I’d like to think that my so called “Good looks” comes from the inner light shining through. As long as we have our passion for life, we will always have beauty.
Ah, what a wonderful post! These are wonderful things to be reminded of. Your blog is generous and beautiful. 🙂
oh wow . . . so interesting to read your post . . . to read you take on it . . . I’ve been noticing lately, too, the signs of aging, and how my youth, the parts of me I considered beautiful, I’d always somehow considered as permanent, even though my logical mind *knew* they weren’t permanent, such a shock to see irrefutable proof of how absolutely impermanent they actually are . . .
this entry is great. it’s so interesting to me that we not only pay a fortune, but go out and search for old furniture, music, art, automobiles yet when dealing with the human body anything over 30 is now considered too old! how crazy! it’s so wonderful to see women celebrating their bodies and their ages just the way they are. we need more of it.
i feel very cracked tonight …