I work with women who are, or who want to become, bodacious, bad-ass old broads. Not sweet little old ladies or miserable old bitches. Now, there’s nothing wrong with being a sweet little old lady if that’s your thing. However, I believe that as we age we reach a point where we are no longer constrained to behave as our parents, our family, our colleagues, and society has programmed us to behave. We are free to claim the bold, adventurous, colorful woman we always wanted to be, or the one we never realized we could be. Finding and releasing that woman is what Living Play-FULLY is all about.
As for miserable old bitches (and I’m willing to bet we all know a few) that’s just not an energy I have any patience for. If you think you’re in danger of becoming one and sincerely want to avoid it, great. We can talk.
For those of you who think “broad” is a derogatory term, this is how I define it: a broad is less respectable than lady but much more respectable than bitch. She is an independent, assertive woman. She laughs loud, parties hard and is unafraid to be abrasive, sarcastic and in-your-face when it’s called for. She as succeeded on her own. In other words, she is bodacious, and bad-ass!
To quote Bette Midler: “People always love a broad — someone with a sense of humor, someone with a fairly wicked tongue, someone who can belt out a song, someone who takes no guff. “
Examples of bodacious, bad-ass old broads: Mae West, Katherine Hepburn, Julie Andrews (don’t let Mary Poppins fool you), Cher, Bette Davis, Helen Mirren, Judi Dench. Are you ready to add your name to the list?
This is what it looks like to be a Bodacious Bad-ass Old Broad
It’s An Act of Courage
- You will be visible
- You will be judged
- You will make a difference
Live with Abandon
- Make the most of the makeshift
- Make it up as you go along
- Own your laugh
- You’re never too anything for anything
- It’s only too late if you never start
Embrace all you are
- Fire the nag, she’s a drag
- Indulge
- Stop being “sorry”
- Be an example of how life can be lived
Reclaim your “Kid Spirit”
- Stay curious, explore, try new things
- Embrace rambunctious, bold, energetic
- Be loud and proud
Make the Playful Choice
- Learn to be amused
- Enjoy the life you have
- Obey the whim
- Use the good china, wear the special outfit, drink the good wine. What are you saving it for?
- Every day is a special occasion. Celebrate!
Do YOU
- Now’s the time! Don’t put it off and expect to be able to buy it back later (whatever “it” is)
- Don’t reinvent, expand. Go bigger!
- Be Passionate about being alive
