The Graying Hair Myth: Busting The Myth And Discovering The Joys Of Graying Hair
The Graying Hair Myth: Only old people have gray hair.
Now it all depends of your definition of old as to whether this will have you in agreement or disagreement with the myth busting facts. But coming from a 50 something (and a young one at that!) 50 is NOT old and you will agree once you have reached that pinnacle in life. So for the purposes of this article we will allow the parameters of “old” to be your own perceptions so have had it!
Now let’s start by looking at a few role models from my generation that are embracing their gray and have stashed away the hair color and freed themselves from the chains of society’s obsession with staying young.
First model that comes to mind is a legend and icon and one of the “coolest” guys around: Clapton as in Eric. Coming from a concert where he played, there was a definite aura surrounding the man. Looking throughout the audience and expecting to see mostly 50 somethings and above, I noticed something very distinctly different from this audience and say one from my mom’s generation. There was a very large mix of 20 somethings and above in the audience thoroughly enjoying the man and his music.
Now many might say “but that doesn’t mean we don’t think he is old” and this may be true but I tend to disagree with this assessment of “old” (remember I have given myself literary liberty here as “old” is a perception, not a fact). No – Clapton is a model of a generation who embraced life and did things their own way and owned it! Graying hair is just another step in the direction of “owning” their bodies and deciding when and if they should embrace the changes occuring.
Graying hair does not make Clapton old. What it does make him is a symbol of a generation who has nothing to prove to society and still have “what it takes” to be young in their own minds and souls. This generation of icons and legends have always done things their own way and embracing their graying hair is just one more step in that direction.
Clapton and those like him (Michael McDonald, Tom Jones, Grace Slick, Keith Richards,(o.k. he might be an iffy one since we aren’t sure what color his hair really is)) are still doing things their way and making the decision when and if to go gray. This, to me is at the heart of being young.
Being secure enough with yourself to embrace the changes without worry as to perception and to make those changes as you see fit are the things that make up a generation of people who are not “old” but proud and comfortable enough in their own skin to thumb their noses at anyone who thinks differently.
So did I bust the myth? In my mind I certainly did. That’s up for discussion. But graying hair is just another part of the big circle of life and defines a generation that has started, led and continues to lead those many generations that follow.
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