Ruth Fishel - Wrinkles Dont Hurt: The Joy of Aging Mindfully

Praise for
Wrinkles Dont Hurt

Ruth Fishel has done it again! Her latest affirmation book is inspiring, humorous, poignant, and powerful. Wrinkles Dont Hurt offers moving and stimulating affirmations for those whose faces are etched with their journey.

Rokelle Lerner , author of Affirmations for Adult Children of Alcoholics, Affirmations for the Inner Child, Living in the Comfort Zone, and The Object of My Affection is in My Reflection: Coping with Narcissists

In Wrinkles Dont Hurt , Ruth Fishel allows her readers to embark on the journey of aging with a refreshing vision of the elder years as a time of celebration and liberation, a time to set new goals, dream new dreams, to grow into ourselves emotionally and spiritually, and extend a helping hand to others. Ruth presents aging as a time of limitless opportunities and choices rather than merely a time of limits and losses.

Jane Middelton-Moz , author of Values from the Front Porch and Shame and Guilt: Masters of Disguise

Ruth Fishel has hit another home run. Wrinkles Dont Hurt is an excellent book. Its soothing, thought provoking, discerning and pleasantly quiet in all the right places. The drawings are perfect too. They tickle ones fancy and make the book a treasure to have, to read and to give to others. I feel blessed to have had a chance to read it.

Karen Casey , author of Each Day a New Beginning

Ruth Fishels book reminds us, with a series of daily quotes, reflections, and meditation practices, that mindfulness is indeed the best medicine. As we enter the golden years of our lives, we all have a unique opportunity to live more fully by dwelling on what we have and not on what we are losing. So embrace your wrinkles and this book as a gentle reminder of the preciousness of life. The art of mindfulness will offer you the best ways to soothe and heal the mind, body, and spirit. As you practice these simple methods of stopping and calming, you will understand how the meaning of life comes in small doses and is always available to us moment by moment.

Jerry Braza, Ph.D. , Dharma teacher,
Thich Nhat Hanh lineage, and author of The Seeds of Love: Growing Mindful Relationships

Wrinkles Dont Hurt is another great contribution from Ruth Fishel. It contains gentle reminders to seize the day, reinforces that we are not alone, and quietly provides motivation. It is one of those books that touches and teaches the soul. I thank her for reminding us about the little things that have the greatest impact on who we are and what we believe.

Robert J. Ackerman, Ph.D. , author of Perfect Daughters and Silent Sons, Professor and Director, Human Services Program University of South Carolina, Beaufort

Health Communications, Inc.

Deerfield Beach, Florida

www.hcibooks.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Fishel, Ruth, 1935

Wrinkles dont hurt : daily affirmations on the joys of aging mindfully / Ruth Fishel.

p. cm.

ISBN-13: 978-0-7573-1590-9 (pbk.)

ISBN-10: 0-7573-1590-9 (pbk.)

ISBN-13: 978-0-7573-9162-0 (e-book)

ISBN-10: 0-7573-9162-1 (e-book)

1. AgingMiscellanea. 2. Affirmations. 3. Meditation. I. Title.

HQ1061.F527 2011

305.26dc23

2011038495

2011 Health Communications, Inc.

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

HCI, its logos, and marks are trademarks of Health Communications, Inc.

Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 334428190

Cover illustration by Bonny Van de Kamp

Cover and interior designs by Lawna Patterson Oldfield

Dedication

To Nathan J. Haase (19011994),
my father, who taught me to swim, ski, ride horseback,
fly kites, ride a bike, to stop and marvel at rainbows and mirages,
to take time to enjoy nature, and to always root for the Red Sox.
When I was ten he told me that someday I would
appreciate simply sitting and looking at the water.
I do, and I wish he were here so I could tell him.
I have a sense that he might know.

With Gratitude

T here are so many people to thank for helping to make this book possible.

I want to begin with Sandy Bierig, my life partner of thirty-seven years at the time of this writing, who has always made the space in our lives for my work, and edited the first version of this book and all my other books before sending it to the publisher.

To Bonny Van de Kamp, the creator of all the wonderful drawings found in Wrinkles Dont Hurt, Time for Joy, and many of my other books. Bonnys enthusiasm, talent, sense of humor, and huge, loving heart has been a gift in my life for over twenty years.

A deep bow to Joseph Goldstein, Larry Rosenberg, Sharon Salzberg, and my first meditation teachers: Christina Feldman, Narayan Lieberman, and many others along the way; as well as my current teachers Fred Eppsteiner, Joanne Friday, and Bill Menza.

To the many people who have contributed their wisdom and energy on their pages inside.

To Allison Janse, editor at Health Communications, Inc., who is a joy to work with.

To Peter Vegso, publisher and owner of Health Communications, Inc., who has always been ready to take a chance on my new ideas.

To all the scientists and researchers who have studied the brain and have discovered how we can change our lives by changing our thoughts and how mindfulness helps to make these changes possible.

To my daughters, Debbie Boisseau and Judy Fishel, for their love and support along the way.

And last but not least, to Bill W. and Dr. Bob, without whom I would not be alive.

Dear Readers,

Many years ago my publisher suggested that I write a daily meditation book geared toward older people. I thought about it, tried it, and couldnt make it flow. I didnt have specific words within me for older people. Some years earlier I had written Time for Joy , a daily meditation book for all ages. There was no difference, I thought, between what I would say to a younger or middle-aged person and what I would say to someone older. Inspiration is inspiration no matter how young or old you are!

One evening, while we were having dinner at our house, friends asked if we would like to go kayaking and canoeing with them in the spring. My partner immediately said she wasnt up to it while I enthusiastically answered yes! I had wanted to try kayaking for a long time and thought it would be great fun. I overheard my partner whisper something.

What did she say? I asked.

One friend laughed and responded: She said, Ruth doesnt know how old she is!

The truth was, back then I didnt identify my age as old. And I dont identify with the age I am now as old. I knew I was getting older but I felt relatively healthy and capable and I had good energy, as I do today, although it was true that I couldnt do all the things I could have done ten or twenty years earlier.

That day I thought, Maybe there is a book for me to write after all . While inspiration is the same for all ages, there are many other specific differences. As we grow up, our issues change. Although our inner spirit ideally continues to grow freer and more spiritually connected, our physical bodies develop limitations which prevent us from doing everything we would like to or think we can do. Losses, limitations, changing times, pain, and diminished energy all sneak up on us. How we look at life changes. What was important a few years earlier might be less important today.