We are taught from a very young age to revere physical beauty.  It isn't until we get much older that we figure out it's inner beauty that matters most. That interim time we spend soothing our eyes with what we consider aesthetically pleasing is often times accompanied by mending our broken hearts.  For most of us, those wasted days we’ve spent with "eye candy" pales in comparison to the real thing. I think it's a travesty that people are coerced by society into developing meaningless preferences for their most intimate relationships based upon what a person looks like and not what type of character they have. 

We overlook anything that may have depth just to possess beauty for a fleeting moment. We’re so hoodwinked into believing that outer beauty is the important thing. We’re not told that physical beauty wanes with age and then in hindsight during some brief moment of clarity, we suddenly get it. Aging no longer seems scary when vanity is put into its proper perspective. Gray hair and wrinkles no longer are dreaded.  Some people wear them well and like a fine wine, they become better with age.

Many people alter their appearance thinking that a youthful appearance might grant them the key to happiness by cheating the aging process when in reality all it does is buy their plastic surgeon's a Porsche and helps put his children through college.  So why does aging scare people? Why do we feel less desirable? When we turn 50 is it really necessary to look 30 in order to feel the happiness we so desperately seek?

Vanity is such a powerful force that rules supreme from our early years right up until the time we realize vanity is a waste of time. Physical beauty is so subjective and filled with individual preferences.  If asked to name the three most beautiful women in the world and the three most handsome men, the list would vary from person to person.  What we might find out by comparing lists is how we differ in our definition of physical beauty.

No wonder so many teens develop eating disorders and remain confused and unsatified with their appearance for years. When beauty is defined in terms of the picture below, what we strive for is not only unhealthy, but is a hideous facade as well.  The picture is from a recent runway show featuring clothes most of us couldn't wear because we have too much meat on our bones thus making us ugly by society’s standards. Yes, physical beauty is governed by our preferences. What looks hot to one person might make someone else run away in search of a paper bag and a Phenergan suppository.  After looking at this picture, it makes me thankful vanity has passed me by and the only use I want a paper bag for is to cover this successful lost soul until she gains alittle weight.

I always admire people who have a dream and then turn that dream into a reality through hard work and dedication. Stephen Craig Rowe, a fellow blogger and talented artist and poet had a dream of creating a blog that would capture people's unique creativity from all walks of life around the world. He started FLYING MONKEYS by giving everyone the opportunity to come together in the spirit of brotherly love and unity by working together with a common goal. 

For many, it was an ideal situation to express ideas and to relay information because FLYING MONKEYS was void of restrictions, demands, deadlines and obligations.  Each person was basically governed by their own ethics and morals. What resulted was a harmonious conglomeration of many people's views that blended together as a captivating work of art...a collage of ideas and topics from free thinkers and peace seekers from around the world. People gave what they could when they could and it flourished in almost a surrealistic way.

Last year when I took my long hiatus from blogging, I discovered upon my return that FLYING MONKEYS had fallen victim to either human carelessness or from someone's heartless cruelty. Stephen told me that someone had deleted everyone’s work that had made the blog successful. With nothing left, he and his good friend, Sassene tried to salvage what they could and begin again, but they really need our help and support. I hope everyone will stop by FM because I notice that nothing has been posted since February. Sometimes a comment or some other display of support will go a long ways.  If you're interested, please contact Stephen for information regarding how you can become a contributing writer for FLYING MONKEYS. I'm sure all this project needs is a little help from kindred spirits wanting to spread a message of hope, peace and love. 

What a month this has been! Not only has my back been giving me problems, but my diabetes has as well…when it rains, it pours! My back actually started easing off to the point of being bearable about the time my stepfather fell and fractured his shoulder last Friday.  At 86 years old and being a dialysis patient, means he’s what most would consider very “frail”.  Since I’m caregiver to both he and my mother, having a hurt back just didn’t seem to have a place in the grand scheme of things. If nothing else, those people who take on the task of being a caregiver to any elderly person knows that many times it requires putting your own needs on the backburner. I can say, I’ve been thankful for the painkillers and muscle relaxers, but truthfully no matter what I take, there are times that the drugs do practically nothing. At that point it becomes mind over matter…

I’ve read through all the comments that have been left for me. I’ve also read my email and messages…I do intend to answer everyone, but I have to voice some concern here about the people who don’t seem to get that I have a life which includes having a full time job, taking care of my two elderly parents, having some serious health problems myself and every now and then having days that resembles everyone else's . Most of you seem to understand that my blog is my way to relax…writing is probably my closest friend right now. I would like to apologize for my lack of free time which is the reason why I am the neglectful twit some of you think I am. If I did have free time, I guess I might search for some creative, wonderful mid-life crisis or go out and do something fun like find myself a hot 35-year old lover…and yes, I would definitely answer each comment, message, and email sent my way and spend countless hours writing witty things on everyone else's blogs! There will be no apologies from me for me being me, but I can and will apologize for not having the time to jump into this blogosphere with both feet and give it my all.  I’m afraid that this is as much as I have to give of myself and if that falls short of anyone’s expectations, then cest la vie…