STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT!

When I was a kid, my grandmother often said, “Straighten up and fly right!” It meant pull your shoulders back and act proud to be who you are. When I was a teenager and she said it, I came up with this flippant reply: “People don’t fly. So, I don’t need to straighten up!” If only I had known how important posture would be as I aged. Truth is that how you hold yourself is how you see yourself.

When a client enters my office it’s the first thing I notice. Older clients are often slumped and it’s not just time that has worn them down. They are so used to being ignored they ignore themselves. They do it in small steps. It starts with that slump–a drawing in to their shell–perhaps so they won’t be bumped and jostled by all those young people rushing past them. Even their voice gets softer, not just because it’s worn out, but because there’s no real reason to raise it anymore. Who’s listening?

Recently, I’ve taken on many folks over 50. Most feel ignored and obsolete. Some complain about their kids forgetting them or losing their purpose or feeling invisible. As I encourage them to advocate for themselves and ‘stand tall’, it occurs to me that I’m older than all of my clients. Yes, ALL of them! Somehow, this fact hasn’t occurred to them. Perhaps because I’m invisible, too?

At the market this morning, an old woman shuffled ahead of me. She had the slump. As she tentatively moved towards the heavy, glass door, she was estimating if she could pull that door open before a fellow coming towards her from the other side got there first. She hesitated. He flew straight through it and would have flattened her had she not paused. In fact, he didn’t even SEE her! Quickly, I grabbed the door. “Oh, thank you dear,” she smiled. As she continued, I noticed she was standing straighter.

It reminded me to do the same. Often, I sing the words to “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” and snap my fingers when I lift my carriage. So, do yourself a favor this summer morning and enjoy Nat King Cole here. His singing harkens to a time long forgotten that will never come again.