Why are so many of us so old? Some of us are waking up to what we missed during an accomplished career. We have more flexibility in how we spend our days. We have less to lose if friends and employers find out that we are running around naked.
Regarding the partial quote, “Wrinkles, scars, and sagging flesh are embraced if not cherished”, I would love to agree, and would especially love to truly feel this way myself. But not only have I not adopted this stance, but in 30+ years visiting various nudist clubs, I’ve never once encountered anyone who has espoused it. The idea attempts the impossible task of merging childlike idealism and mature pragmatism. Yes, nudist clubs, for instance, do help us to recharge and face the other, so-called “real world” outside the gates. And yes, within the gates we commonly see aged others and they see our aged bodies and we nevertheless try to have as much fun as possible via the various available activities and amenities. But no one fails to notice the limitations of our physical bodies; in fact, those limitations are often accentuated in nudist environments when we can no longer safely play volleyball on shifting sand; or when we donate our beloved racket to the club because we can no longer run; or when we simply watch younger people, who move so fluidly and effortlessly. The fact that few or nobody complains too much shouldn’t be mistaken for anything beyond mere acceptance (if that), and certainly should not be characterized as a cherished state. Age has happened to us, along with scars and other infirmities. We socialize and play naked as long as we’re able in spite of, not because of, these constraints. Nudism reminds us and others that our spirit, our ideal, ageless self, is still here, still observing, still engaging in some fashion even though our bodies can no longer keep up. If we are to adopt a realistic perspective, let’s give age its due and not sentimentalize its consequences.
Thanks for sharing this perspective. I think it is important… and speaks to a deeper fear of aging and life consequences than nudists would like to have known. Again, thank you!
Thanks Timothy. Thoughtful and well said. I’m surprised that at my age I hadn’t stopped to think about this story and compare it to running around naked. While reading it other stories popped into my head too. Auntie Mame was immediate! I nice Sunday morning read.
I appreciate so much what you have written here. Good thoughts all. l would like to humbly add that many who embrace naturism are not wanting to recover something lost to time, but rather a spiritual gift. They aren't longing for the simpler time of childhood, but rather a life as God intended, and one that has been stolen away by the deceiver. You are correct that Barrie's message is that we should grow up and deal with life as adults, but meanwhile, God keeps trying to remind us that life as he intended it is not a fantasy or childhood dream, but rather the reality. Matt 18 teaches us that we will not go to heaven unless we transform ourselves into little children. This world—and all we know in it—is a simple test to see how well we can focus as children on God's simple plan, and ignore the trappings of this world. As a writer myself, Barrie always seemed to be missing that the struggle isn't to grow up and be part of the world, but to spiritually become a child and see the folly of the dream the deceiver would have us chase.
Why are so many of us so old? Some of us are waking up to what we missed during an accomplished career. We have more flexibility in how we spend our days. We have less to lose if friends and employers find out that we are running around naked.
Regarding the partial quote, “Wrinkles, scars, and sagging flesh are embraced if not cherished”, I would love to agree, and would especially love to truly feel this way myself. But not only have I not adopted this stance, but in 30+ years visiting various nudist clubs, I’ve never once encountered anyone who has espoused it. The idea attempts the impossible task of merging childlike idealism and mature pragmatism. Yes, nudist clubs, for instance, do help us to recharge and face the other, so-called “real world” outside the gates. And yes, within the gates we commonly see aged others and they see our aged bodies and we nevertheless try to have as much fun as possible via the various available activities and amenities. But no one fails to notice the limitations of our physical bodies; in fact, those limitations are often accentuated in nudist environments when we can no longer safely play volleyball on shifting sand; or when we donate our beloved racket to the club because we can no longer run; or when we simply watch younger people, who move so fluidly and effortlessly. The fact that few or nobody complains too much shouldn’t be mistaken for anything beyond mere acceptance (if that), and certainly should not be characterized as a cherished state. Age has happened to us, along with scars and other infirmities. We socialize and play naked as long as we’re able in spite of, not because of, these constraints. Nudism reminds us and others that our spirit, our ideal, ageless self, is still here, still observing, still engaging in some fashion even though our bodies can no longer keep up. If we are to adopt a realistic perspective, let’s give age its due and not sentimentalize its consequences.
Thanks for sharing this perspective. I think it is important… and speaks to a deeper fear of aging and life consequences than nudists would like to have known. Again, thank you!
Thanks Timothy. Thoughtful and well said. I’m surprised that at my age I hadn’t stopped to think about this story and compare it to running around naked. While reading it other stories popped into my head too. Auntie Mame was immediate! I nice Sunday morning read.
Deeply appreciating this 🙏🏻
Quite a rather long, but good, post.
Didn't some one kind of famous say something along the lines of..."Lest ye be as little children, you cannot enter the gates of Heaven"?
Matthew 18 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible
Fuck
I appreciate so much what you have written here. Good thoughts all. l would like to humbly add that many who embrace naturism are not wanting to recover something lost to time, but rather a spiritual gift. They aren't longing for the simpler time of childhood, but rather a life as God intended, and one that has been stolen away by the deceiver. You are correct that Barrie's message is that we should grow up and deal with life as adults, but meanwhile, God keeps trying to remind us that life as he intended it is not a fantasy or childhood dream, but rather the reality. Matt 18 teaches us that we will not go to heaven unless we transform ourselves into little children. This world—and all we know in it—is a simple test to see how well we can focus as children on God's simple plan, and ignore the trappings of this world. As a writer myself, Barrie always seemed to be missing that the struggle isn't to grow up and be part of the world, but to spiritually become a child and see the folly of the dream the deceiver would have us chase.