ALWAYS BE YOUNG AT HEART

How many times have you heard the following statements about television personalities, athletes, celebrities, pop stars and even people you know:

“He/She is told old to be wearing that.”

“He/She should not be behaving like that – it isn’t age appropriate.”

“Why do old people think they can do that?”

“Eww, old people shouldn’t be having sex.”

“If you reach the age of retirement, you should stop working to let the younger generation become employed.”

“Old people are too fragile to engage in that kind of physical activity.”

I hope that I am never faced with any of the above.  I have been guilty of saying “what you are wearing is too young for you” to my husband Jason and I cringe when I think about it.  If you feel great about wearing something and it makes you feel good, what does it matter what others think?  Should you not be empowered to wear clothing that makes you feel comfortable, sexy, confident and make you feel good?  Whenever we judge others in what they wear, say or do – says much about yourself.  You are saying these things because they make YOU feel uncomfortable.  You may also be saying these things because society frowns against what isn’t considered to be ‘normal’.  But what is normal?  I would rather be thought of as original and eccentric than conform to what everyone else deems ‘normal’.

Many people feel that once you reach a certain age that you should act a certain way.  True ageism (as well as sexism) rears its ugly head in Hollywood and the music industry, especially as it relates to sexuality/gender.  Money (and sex) is what motivates Hollywood and the music business.  Who wants to hire an actress over 50 in a leading role (unless you are master of your craft such as;  Meryl Streep) when you can hire sexy actresses that will sell movie tickets?  Today – it’s Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence, Kirsten Stewart, Emma Watson, Amy Adams and Jennifer Anniston.  Actor’s don’t have this issue – Robert DeNiro, Robin Williams, George Clooney, Anthony Hopkins, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, and Morgan Freeman are all still headlining movies.

Ageism/Sexism seems to be much worse in music – especially if you are a women.  Case in point – Madonna.  She looks radiant and is in great shape but because she is over 50, many people believe that she shouldn’t be doing what she is doing or wear the clothing that she wears.  Do you hear people saying this about Mick Jagger, Iggy Pop, Jon Bon Jovi, Bono, Paul McCartney or Prince?  There is a double standard when it comes to being sexual for a female and a male.  When Madonna (or any other female pop star) grinds on stage with a younger male – she is a slut, a whore and a tramp but when a guy does the same thing, he’s a stud and cool.

I am glad that my thoughts on this issue have grown to be more opened to peoples individuality.  I am glad that there are people out there that don’t care what others think about in terms of their fashion sense and being young at heart.  Ultimately – if we are happy and enjoying doing what we are doing, the judgements of others should never deter us from staying happy.

Here is a great documentary on the subject of ageism – it is profound, inspiring, touching and motivating!  ENJOY!

SONG OF THE WEEK

There is not too much to say about the artist who has this weeks ‘song of the week’ – She has sold over 300 million records worldwide, she is a dancer, actress, director, philanthropist, fashionista, icon, and probably the worlds most controversial entertainer of all time.  She is the most successful solo-touring artist of all-time and has a career spanning over 30 years.  She is the one and the only – MADONNA.

Madonna has penned some of the most recognizable pop hits of my generation – songs like; “Like a Virgin”, “Material Girl”, “Papa Don’t Preach”, “Like A Prayer”, “Frozen”, “Ray of Light”, “American Life”, “Music” and so on.  Madonna’s critics have mainly focused on the controversy that surrounds many of her project releases but fail to mention that the controversies generally are to create dialogue and break stereotypes of whatever topic she is writing or making a video about.  I remember when ‘Like A Virgin’ came out (1984) and remember so many people being offended saying that the song was too sexual and that she was a role-model for so many young girls.  Let’s face it….she didn’t ask to be a role-model – her goal was to become the greatest entertainer and she was not going to compromise anything in order to achieve that goal.  People are okay to talk about rape, violence, wars etc….but whenever Madonna created a video that depicted any sexual ambiguity, people became outraged.  In the same breath – rap videos or male entertainers who would have women parading around with next-to-nothing – was okay.

Critics didn’t want to focus on Madonna – the powerful and strong woman who wasn’t going to compromise any of her artistic integrity in order to sell records.  When Madonna believed in something she would stand by her words and her art.  Although Madonna had many controversies surrounding the records, “Like A Virgin”, “Like A Prayer”, “Justify My Love”, “Erotica” and “American Life”, people tend to forget that she has also created some absolutely amazing and thought-provoking music and videos.  “Papa Don’t Preach” – about a teenager who did not want to abort her baby, “Promise To Try” – a stirring ballad that reflects the loss of Madonna’s mother at such a young age, “American Life” – a commentary about our need for all things material, “Frozen” – a haunting insight about self-reflection, “Nothing Really Matters” – a moving tribute to motherhood, “The Power of Goodbye” – a touching story of love/life loss.  Madonna has a collection of work that spans all music genres that speak to all generations and ages.

Today – Madonna’s challenge is ageism.  The critics are now siting that she is too old to be creating the music that she is creating.  They say things like; “she is too old to be parading around with no clothes on”, “she shouldn’t be making dance records and should mellow out”, “she should retire” etc….I hope that Madonna continues to make music she likes and videos that she believes – Music and video are not for people of a certain age – music is for everyone.  If you are uncomfortable with the type of music or video that Madonna is creating – don’t watch it!  Maybe that discomfort is telling you more about yourself than anything or anybody else.

Here is this week’s Song Of The Week.  Lyrics are followed by the audio and video.  Enjoy.

GET TOGETHER

(There’s too much confusion)
(It’s all an illusion)
(there’s too much confusion)

Down, down, down in your heart
Find, find, find the secret
Turn, turn, turn your head around
Baby we can do it
We can do it all right

Do you believe in love at first sight
It’s an illusion, I don’t care
Do you believe I can make you feel better
Too much confusion, come on over here

[Chorus]
Can we get together?
I really, I really wanna be with you
Come on, check it out with me
I hope you, I hope you feel the same way too

I searched, I searched, I searched my whole life
To find, find, find the secret
But all I did was open up my eyes
Baby we can do it
we can do it all right

Do you believe that we can change the future
Do you believe I can make you feel better

[Chorus X2]

It’s all an illusion
There’s too much confusion
I’ll make you feel better
If it’s bitter at the start
Then it’s sweeter in the end

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!