Diversity and aging
While the pix may represent a younger group does not mean that all is not accepted in the group. Acceptance starts with accepting one's self regardless of what you look like. Together we can continue to live our truth and help others to realize the joys of nudity and bonding with others who share the same lifestyle.
Nicely put - my mantra has always been to try and live my life with acceptance, compassion, and understanding. From a nudist perspective, always remember age, sags, etc. don't define you as a nudist - nudists don't care about that - I've always found they want to know me as a person - just so happens a naked person.While the pix may represent a younger group does not mean that all is not accepted in the group. Acceptance starts with accepting one's self regardless of what you look like. Together we can continue to live our truth and help others to realize the joys of nudity and bonding with others who share the same lifestyle.
I agree that at 27 a person is generally more physically attractive than a 56 year old (my age). But that doesnt make 27 year olds more attractive to hang with. Im pleased to be more self-conscious in positive ways and taking better care of myself than 30 years ago, starting with diet, sleep and exercise. We bloom at different ages in our lives, as well as in different ways. And after one beauty has faded, its usually a sign that another one is budding. Nudism is good because it takes more the whole person into consideration.
As an educator, I have learned more from the college students I have taught about diversity and acceptance. They brought this previously culturally clueless but well-meaning guy along the road first to acceptance and finally to a celebration of our world of diverse beauty. In fact, it was what allowed me to become a nudist and love who I am. Now in my early 60s I don't fret my age or the sags.
When I was younger I had a really good athletic body. Then "Life Happened!" as my friend Bob would say. Long hours, stress and lack of proper exercise gave me more a pear shape than I ever thought. Now 40 some years older I have a different perspective. Perhaps if... that is always a catch phrase for wanting some things to be different. But my mileage on my body was hard earned. So, if I weigh far more than my youth, my experiences made me what I am today. My body image is what I am, I can accept that. Just as others have body image issues we each deal with it in our own ways. I survived stage 4 cancer which should have killed me. I survived a few divorces though unintended at the time! If someone is having issues with how I look they either issues I can't help them with or they are someone I want to meet! Have some fun! Enjoy the day!
Especially among fellow nudists, openness and transparency is more important than any physical shortcomings. Textile folks like to hide who they are, more concerned with fashion, image and "looking stylish". We nudists accept who we are, age is really just a state of mind. I'm a cancer survivor with occasional mobility issues. Age brings with it wisdom and self-knowledge, I'm as energetic as many younger men (except that I take a daily mid-Day nap, which is sacred!)
This is something that puzzles me. When there is an image selected to portray diversity, it will never be all-inclusive - that's simply impossible. If a picture is worth a thousand words than why limit it to the obvious few selected representatives portrayed rather than embrace the much larger, all-inclusive, idea it represents? Or, let's step back from it a little further and ask if being critical of a person's or people's limited ability or resources to portray 'YOUR' idea of diversity is, in fact, doing the very thing you think you're trying to undo? (Sorry for the bold caps, but some people need them to slow down enough to realize what I said.) Also, just saying you're accepting of everyone is not the same as being accepting of everyone. (Sorry, this is a logic irony pet peeve of mine.)
I hope you all and your loved ones are healthy and safe. Take care and best wishes, Ken.
Wolfsteve,
I disagree. We do not "need to respect opinions that disagree with us." Just like I don't have to respect anyone who isn't respectable. If what you say is true then you expect me to respect a bigot and their bigoted opinions. Never! Now, I do respect an individual's right to have an opinion that differs from mine; but, anything beyond that requires my thoughtful consideration.
I hope everyone reading this is healthy, safe, and naked! :-)
Ken
Wolfsteve,
If you're suggesting my reply was either a bullying tactic or abusive, it's neither. In fact, your own reply proved my point. You said you "would not agree to respect bigoted views and would be offended by them." Bigoted views are other's opinions you refuse to respect. Therefore, you don't respect all opinions that differ from yours. I don't point this out to bully or offend, but because it's extremely important to make this clarification. The reason it's so important is that's what children are being taught in schools and it's something many people are misunderstanding these days. What must be respected and protected, to our dying breath, is everyone's right to have an opinion, which in no way means we must respect any of their opinions. Conversely, it doesn't mean we cannot respect differing opinions. In fact, I respect many opinions that differ from my own; however, I openly reserve the right to not respect them, as well.
I've had to explain this to most of my nieces and nephews because their teachers are teaching them they MUST respect other's opinions. When they should be teaching we MUST respect everyone's right to form, hold, and express their own opinions and beliefs.
Actually, I'm a Libertarian, so I believe this to a degree that many do not. :-) I'm sorry if I wasn't communicating clearly and for any misunderstandings.
I hope you all are well. Ken
(I think I replied to the wrong post so I deleted it and made sure it was a reply to Wolfsteve's post.)
Wolfsteve,
Thank you, sir. I appreciate that you added the context I needed to understand what you meant.
I used to debate theology when I was in seminary and, back then, internet discourse, discussion, debate, and argumentation was in it's infancy. It was certainly a valuable, albeit painful, learning experience. It's the reason I use LOL and character smiley faces so much! :-)
I agree, bullying is unwelcome. Ironically, bullying spawns from weakness. In discussion/ debate/ argumentation, this typically means the individual is a weak communicator or their argument is weak. Either way, they haven't learned to be more selective about the issues they're willing to 'go to battle' over and they don't realize they had 'lost' before they began.
Just my 2 cents... ;-)
I hope you all have a great morning and an even better day.
Ken
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