(자아성장) 11명 여성들이 말하는 섹시함에 대해: Beauty Has No Age Limit.

출처: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/11-middle-aged-women-strip-down-to-reclaim-sexy-on-their-own-terms_us_56d1d0c9e4b0871f60eb9da8

아래의 글은 <테러방지법 전문>을 찾다가, 우연히 만난 기사이다. 

11명 여성들이 자신의 표현으로 섹시함이 뭔가에 대해 자신들의 과거 20대와 비교하여 고백하고 있다. 나는 여기서 섹시함 그 자체에 대해서가 아니라, 여자 사람의 중년기에 나타난 성장과 변화를 주목하고자 한다. 자신의 몸과 자신에 대한 전면적 수용에서 비롯된 원숙미를 나는 찾을 수 있는 것이다. 이 점은 남성의 경우도 예외는 아닐 거라 가정한다. 

남녀를 막론하고 중년기 즉 50대에 접어들면서, 사물의 외형이나, 타인의 평가에 얽매이던 시각에서 자신의 내면에 주목하게 되고, 자기 부족함을 긍정하면서, 자기 몸에 만족하게 되고, 이런 속에서 자기를 긍정하고 원숙미가 피어나온다. 

이런 면에서 한국사회의 "동안 신드롬"은 웃기는 얘기가 아닐 수 없다. 우리는 언제까지 남의 평가에 시달려야 하는가? 남의 기호에 맞춰 자신의 삶을 낭비하는가? Beauty Has No Age Limit (아름다움에는 나이 제한이 없다) 자기자신이 되는 것, 자기자신으로 사는 것이 바로 행복한 삶이요, 진정으로 섹시해지는 것이다.

진정한 섹시함은 남녀를 막론하고 진정으로 남의 삶이 아닌 자신의 삶을 사는 것 그리고 자신이 된 사람에게서 묻어나오는 원숙미이 아닐까?

추가: 원문에는 이하 11명에 대한 섹시한 사진들이 나오지만, 여기에는 생략했다. 필요한 경우 위 출처에 제시된 링크를 클릭하면 된다.

11 Middle-Aged Women Strip Down To Reclaim 'Sexy' on Their Own Terms 여성 11명이 몸매를 드러낸 채 자신의 목소리로 섹시함에 대해 고백한다

Here's why they feel sexier now than in their 20s. 이하는 이 여성들이 과거 20대보다 지금이 훨씬 더 섹시하다고 느끼는 이유들이다.

 03/02/2016 07:01 am ET | Updated 11 hours ago

Sometimes, to be a woman over 50 is to feel invisible. It's walking into a bar or restaurant and no longer being on the receiving end of an admiring glance. It's feeling like people on the street are looking past you, as if you aren't even there. Ask a middle-aged woman, and she might say these slights have whittled away at her self-confidence, tricking her into believing the best years are behind her. 이따금, 50 넘은 여성은 남들 눈에 잘 안 띄는 존재가 된 거 같다. 술집에 가도, 식당에 가도, 남들의 시선을 더 이상 받지 않는다. 길거리를 걸어가는 너무 흔한 사람들처럼 느껴지고, 당신이 거기 없듯이 당신의 과거를 들여다보는 것처럼 느껴진다. 한 중년 여성을 붙들고 물어보라. 그럼 그녀는 이런 무시들(무시당했던 경험들)이 자신의 전성기는 지났다고 생각하게 만들면서, (그나마 남아있던) 자신감마져 깍아내렸다고 말할 지 모른다.

We live in a culture that often equates beauty and energy with youth. But we'd like to turn that way of thinking on its head. We believe women can be smart and sassy, beautiful and confident -- and that they can continue to shake things up in the world around them -- whether they're 50 or 75 or 100. 우리는 미모와 활력을 젊음과 동일시하는 문화 속에 산다. 그러나 우리는 사고방식을 전환하는 게 좋다. 우리는 여성들이 영리하고 멋지며, 아름답고 자신감 넘친다고 생각한다. 그리고 여성들은 나이가 50이건 75이건 100이건 여전히 앞으로도 세상을 흔들 수 있다고 믿는다.

With that idea in mind, Huff/Post50 photographed 11 very sexy women between the ages of 48 and 67. A few are cancer survivors. A few are grandmothers. A few are single and a few are married. But what they all have in common is that not one is a shrinking violet. They feel better about themselves today than they ever have. We asked each woman to wear whatever makes them feel sexy, and to talk about what being sexy means to them now compared to when they were, say, 21. The resulting photos are stunning -- and entirely un-retouched. 이 점을 염두에 두고, 허프/포스트50은 48세부터 67세 사이의 아주 섹시한 여성들 11명의 몸매를 사진찍고 섹시함에 대한 그들의 솔직한 견해를 아래와 같이 들어보았다. 어떤 사람들은 이미 할머니인 사람들이고, 어떤 사람들은 혼자 사는 사람들이고, 어떤 사람들은 배우자가 있다. 그러나 이 사람들이 공통적으로 지닌 특징은 단 한 사람도 수줍음타는 사람이 없다는 사실이다. 이들은 전부 과거보다 지금 자신들에 대해 훨씬 만족하고 있다. 우리는 이들에게 섹시하게 느끼게 해주는 걸 입고 나서, 그들이 과거 21살 때와 비교하여 섹시함이 무언지 말해달라고 요청하였다. 그들이 나온 사진들은 너무 멋져서 어느 하나 손 델 곳이 없었다. 

1) Sheryl Roberts, 48 -- "I know I am perfectly imperfect, flaws and all." 나는 내가 굉장히 불완전하다는 것과 결점까지 포함해 잘 안다. (~and all: ~까지 포함해)

"When I was in my 20s and modeling, I was insecure and a follower. I had no identity. I wore whatever was trendy, did what other girls my age did and really tried to be well liked. I had no concept of my own power or sexuality. The biggest difference between the girl I was at 20 and the woman I am now at 48, is now I really could care less about what people that don't know me think about me. Other people's perception is not my reality. I don't want to blend and fit in. That is why I love selling vintage through my business IndigoStyle Vintage. It is the ultimate in personal style and ｅxpression. Sexiness exudes from my confidence, smile and acceptance of myself. Not being fearful of exploring, I know I am perfectly imperfect, flaws and all." 난 20대 때 모델일을 했다. 난 안전감을 못 느꼈으며 누군가를 따라가는 사람이었다. 난 정체성이 없었다.(역자: 나답지 않았다는 뜻.) 난 트랜드 의류만 입었으며, 내 나이또래의 다른 여자애들이 하는 걸 했으며, 다른 사람들이 날 좋아해주길 애썼던 거 같다. 난 나만의 힘이나 섹슈얼리티(성)에 대한 개념도 없었다. 그런데, 그 때와 지금 48세인 나 사이에 가장 큰 차이점은 나를 잘 모르는 다른 사람들이 나에 대해 생각하는 바에 대해 덜 신경쓴다는 사실이다. 다른 사람들이 나에 대해 인식하는 것은 내 현실이 아닌다. 난 이제는 두 가지(내 모습과 남이 가지는 나에 대한 인식)를 섞고 싶지 않다. 이 점이 내가 내 사업 Indigo Style Vintage으로 빈티지를 파는 걸 좋아하는 이유다.

2) Anne Rosenberg, 59 --- "For me now, sexy is alluring and creative." 나에게 섹시함은 매혹적이고 창의적인 무엇이다.

"So maybe as a child of the 1960s I should have been more, well, of a hippie ... but somehow I never got that memo. I was focused on academics and the rest of my time was filled with riding my horse and doing barn work. My standard attire was a flannel shirt, overalls and boots. It seemed as though sexuality was for others. I was sort of a 'neuter' and whatever feelings burned deep within had to stay there. And now I chuckle to myself to realize that at 20, when the world would have been comfortable with me being sexual and sexy, I was closeted, and now when the world is having a hard time with sexy older women I am blossoming. For me now, sexy is alluring and creative. It is amazing." 60년대의 아이로서 나는 히피에 대해 잘 알아야 했지만, 나는 별로 그런 거에 대한 기억도 거의 없다. 난 공부에 집중해야 했고, 나머지 시간은 말타고 다니며 헛간일을 해야 했다. 당시 나의 평상시 복장은 플란넬 셔츠와 작업용 멜빵바지, 부츠였다. 섹슈얼리티는 나와 무관한 것처럼 보였다. 나는 일종의 중성적인 소녀였고, 속에서 끌어올라온 감정들은 속에 가만히 내버려두어야 했다. 내가 20세 당시의 세상은 내 자신이 성적인 것과 섹시함과 큰 어려움이 없었을 텐데도 난 그런 세상과 단절된 생활을 했고, 이제와서 세상은 나처럼 활짝 꽃피우는 섹시한 늙은 여성은 대접해주지 않는단 사실을 자각하고, 난 킥킥 웃음이 터져나온다. 이제 나에게 섹시함은 매혹적이며 창의적인 그 무엇이다. 이는 놀랍다. (neuter: 중성의) (chuckle to oneself: 혼자 킥킥거리다) (be closeted: 혼자 틀어박혀 지내다)

3) Mary Ann Holand, 58 -- "No one but me dictates my sexiness." 다른 누가 아니라 바로 내가 내 섹시함을 명령한다.

"I don't think women truly appreciate their beauty and sexiness until they are older. After turning 50 I felt much sexier than I did in my 20s. In my 20s, I compared myself to others and the standards fashion and beauty magazines dictated. That's a lot of pressure! With maturity comes confidence and the knowledge that our brain is our sexiest organ, not our body! No one but me dictates my sexiness. The journey in getting here shaped how I feel. I am a wife, mother, grandmother and breast cancer survivor (including a mastectomy). This self-awareness of being sexy in my 50s is a gift and one I will cherish in every decade going forward! Wheeeeee -- I'm free to be me!!!" (mastectomy: 유방절제술)

4) Shannon Bradley-Colleary, 50 -- "I just say 'yes' more."

"I've found, after 50, that I just say 'yes' more and this makes me feel beautiful, vibrant, sexy and alive. 'Do you want to help in Syrian Refugee Camps in Lesvos, Greece?' Yes. 'Do you want to take an introductory pole dancing class?' Yes. 'Do you want to have a blind date with your own husband where you pretend to be strangers?' Sign me up! In my 20s I worried I wasn't smart enough, curvy enough, sexy enough to say 'yes' to all the things I wanted to try. (I also felt I should've been better at orgasms. I was pretty sure I was getting a 'C-' in orgasms.) At 50, I just don't have the time or energy for that nonsense. I take it all as it comes, so to speak. 'Can you look in the mirror and love what you see, just for today?' Yes. And thank you."

5) Barbara Rabin, 67 -- "I'm so much stronger now. And strength is sexy."

"Sexy is self-confidence. It's being comfortable in your own skin. It's looking in the mirror and liking what I see. Someone once told me that older women can't have long hair. And most women don't at my age. But I like long and flowing hair and, to me, it's sexy. You must have a feeling that says 'I like what I see and I'm doing great.' When I was in my 20s, I was all about my career. Now I've lost my husband and had cancer. I'm so much stronger now. And strength is sexy."

6) Pamela Madsen, 52 -- "Sexuality has become my friend."

"When I was in my 20s, I wanted to be sexually invisible because I didn't trust my own relationship with my body. I was scared to be seen. Now that I am in my 50s, I dare you not to look! I'm not frightened of being seen as sexy anymore, because sexy has gone from fear to empowerment and delight! In my 50s I trust my own 'yes' and my own 'no.' It may have taken a few decades, but now my sexuality has become my friend and I love dancing with it."

7) Sandra LaMorgese, 59 -- "I can now focus on what makes me feel happy."

"When I was in my 20s, my sexuality was all about image. I had a clear idea of what a sexy woman would do, say, look, and feel, and I spent so much of my energy trying to project that image to others. But now, in my 50s, I have a whole different perspective; namely, I don't feel like I need to act likable and sexy and desirable and free because I know that I already am all of those things. Romantic and sexual partners come and go. It's just how life works. What stays constant, though, is me, which means that my sexuality, my identity, and my sense of self-worth and belonging need to come from inside me first. Realizing this allowed me to let go of so much anxiety about my sexuality because I no longer needed to worry about all the unknown variables that other people brought into the equation. Instead, I can now focus on what makes me feel happy, whole, and loving, and when I find other people who are attracted to these positive qualities, it leads to really fun and life-affirming experiences."

8) April Johnson, 58 -- "Being sexy now in my 50s is a feeling."

"Beautiful to me means being attractive -- and what makes folks attractive? Being caring, loving, good, considerate. These things create an attraction which makes your inner beauty show as outer beauty. In my 20s, being sexy was dressing a certain way to attract the opposite sex and was about what I thought they thought was sexy. Being sexy now in my 50s is a feeling ... not the clothes I wear. The clothes don’t make me. I make the clothes. It’s me feeling great about me! Me feeling sexy is to please me and make me happy. Happiness rubs off on others! What a great way to spread happiness in the world!"

9) Robin Hoffman, 50 -- "Bodies are beautiful, but what's glowing within is so much more."

"Sexy at 21 versus sexy at 50, for me, is still a journey. I’ve moved solidly from ‘how does my butt look’ in acid-washed jeans to black yoga pants, but I’m still discovering it’s more to do with where I am than whether that tousle-haired rugby player from English Lit will notice me Friday night. While I wish I was more consistently in this place, I have found my GPS. It’s an inner core that either radiates strength and love or it’s a dark cylinder that magnifies every belly bulge, every criticism. To me, sexy at 50 is peeling those shades back and blasting the light we all have. It’s a celebration of the beauty of spirit versus the celebration of butts and boobs. Bodies are beautiful, but what’s glowing within is so much more."

10) Felicia Gomes-Gregory, 50 -- "Today at 50, sexy is about my nurturing my inner beauty."

"When I was 25, being sexy was a learning phase. My ideas were defined by outside influences (magazines/books/tv), men, and mostly, the 'village of women' who raised me, especially my mother. I was always taught that you could be a lady and 'sexy' with your clothes on. Today at 50, sexy is about my nurturing my inner beauty in addition to cultivating the outer beauty. When a woman is empowered both spiritually and physically, is confident, and truly knows her self-worth and loves others around her, being and feeling sexy is easy! I am approaching my 50s as a new journey in my life in which the four most important things to me now are to 'live, love, dance and have faith' into the next decade!" 

11) Constance Boardman, 57 -- "Feeling sexy now is a lot less about your body."

"Feeling sexy now is a lot less about your body. All those silly things you worried about when you were young -- things related to looks -- are indeed just silly. For awhile there, in my early 50s, it was hard for me to feel sexy. The changes in your body hit you all of a sudden. But now I know that sex is actually fun and that you shouldn't worry about all the minutiae of what you look like. It has been an adjustment to be OK with the fact that my body may never be the same as it used to be. But I'm sort of over all that now."