Irene's Insights

I meet amazing people everyday on the streets of New Yorke. One of the great things about older people is their willingness to share what they have learned, over the years,with others.I met Irene on the bus heading to Lincoln Center and asked if I could take her picture. She told me that she was in a hurry, so I took a quick photo, handed her a card with my email on it and we have been emailing and chatting on Facebook  ever since. Irene has a great website where she shares her "Images and Insights" . I asked her to share some of her inspiring and thoughtful bits of wisdom on Advanced Style. I hope you enjoy and I would love to hear some of your own favorite quotes and writings!

Irene's Insights

1 - Women and men of a certain age can be role models for a youth-centered society, by paying attention to their ID:

"I" stands for INTELLIGENCE - which can increase with age - evolving into wisdom. Frequently what you see is what you get. 

"D" stands for DEMEANOR - or as Mother used to say "Pretty (handsome) is as pretty (handsome) does."

 "WOW" is an acronym for "Woman Of Wisdom"!  How about "MOD" for Man Of Distinction"?

2 -  Here's my favorite Dorothy Parker poem, "Indian Summer":

In youth it was a way I had

To do my best to please,

And change with every passing lad,

To suit his theories.

But now I know the things I know,

And do the things I do:

And if you do not like me so,

To hell, my love, with you!

3 - From designer William Morris on your home, your haven, your castle:

"Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."

4 - On becoming less of a control freak - a modification of a familiar ditty:

Original:

Row, row, row, row your boat gently down the stream

Merrily, merrily,merrily, merrily

Life is but a dream

But rowing is TOO MUCH WORK! :

FLOAT, FLOAT, FLOAT YOUR BOAT!

5 - Advice to women from a pro, Audrey Hepburn:

:

It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.

It is important that a man makes you laugh.

It is important to find a man you can count on. And doesn't lie to you.

It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.

It is important that these four men don't know each other.

These are Audrey's "beauty tips" - read at her funeral:

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run its fingers through it.

For poise,walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, more that things, have to be restored, renewed,revived, reclaimed and redeemed.

Never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that your two hands are: one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

6 - My obituary:

I Arrived Small and Weak

I Shall Leave Old and Bold