What is Sexy Anyway?
We just can’t get a break...and by we, I mean those of us who happen to be over 50 years old. Not only have we been told we are not sexy by traditionally sexy standards but now it seems we are not sexy as far as non-profit or charitable organizations go!
I know what the marketers mean – old people don’t have that glitz; they don’t have the same powers of persuasion; the same tender touch on the sentimental chord that makes it so easy to open a checkbook. That’s what they mean by sexy – the ability to emotionally move, manipulate and sway someone into seeing things a certain way. Not that the ‘sexy’ causes aren’t valid ones because they are. But, as with all things sexy, the ones most deserving of the title are often the ones most easily overlooked.
Besides, I happen to disagree with those who would exclude me from either category because I think I’m very sexy and I want to continue to be sexy until I can’t ‘be’ anymore. I think we all do. But we can’t do that unless we educate ourselves about just what sexy is and then have a few conversations with others about what we have learned. I think sexy is being confident. It is being healthy, vibrant, engaged and active. Sexy is being curious and inquisitive and open to new ideas. Offering and accepting friendship is sexy. Insight is sexy, intelligence is sexy and knowledge is sexy. A great sense of humor is very sexy. Caring and compassion are sexy. Sexy is going beyond our boundaries and sometimes sexy is accepting our limitations. “Getting it” is sexy...(no pun intended). Sexy is being and doing and helping others to do and to be all that they are interested in doing and being. And I, along with many others like me here at the St. Johns County Council on Aging, are doing all those sexy things every single day And we have some very sexy friends who help us do all those very sexy things.
I guess my point is that we need to re-define what sexy is and we need to do that now. Because one day we might be waiting (very sexily) for someone to help us do something we want to do. But those we rely on might be looking right past us.
Susan Johnson
Administrative Coordinator
SJCCOA
