Haven’t we all at different points in time wished we were younger? If this answer is in the negative, you may have heard it in your discussion with others.
“I am too frigging old to go back to school. Come to think of it, my brain is not as young as it was before!”
“How can I get admission for a first degree when most of my mates are concluding their second? I feel far gone in the age department!”
“How can I think of starting my first business at my age? It will make me a laughing stock among my peers, some of whom are already into their millions!”
Age is a sensitive topic for a lot of people. This is usually borne out of regrets for not having achieved greater things in the past. And our birthdays serve as painful reminders. What if we saw age as just a number? What if we attributed growing older to simply being a natural process we all have to go through? Maybe then, we wouldn’t give it so much power to become such a limiting factor. Of course this is by no means an easy hill to climb, but it is very doable.
Usually, the “I’m too old” mentality thrives on accounts of younger people making waves in their respective fields. With all their accolades shoved up in our faces, our inner pessimist rises to the fore and fuels our doubt. So we ask ourselves, “what is the point of trying now? I should have done it when I was younger”. And so cease to try. How I wish we understood that age limits to pursuing our dreams are simply a social construct!
Go into deep reflection, decide what you want, and go for it. These are the basics, and they apply to people of every age. Who cares if the world thinks you are too old to do it? Charles Darwin was 50 years when he published the book he is so well known for. What about Susan Boyle who began her singing career at age 47 after she appeared on Britain’s Got Talent? Or Octavia Spencer who got her big break at the age of 41? Do you think Gladys Burrill cared what the world thought when she completed the Honolulu marathon at age 92? At 92, she hit fame and was recognized by Guinness World Records and the Hawaii House of Representatives. I bet if I lived up to that age, I’d probably be relaxing on a soft recliner, sipping wine, and lying to my grandkids about my daring adventures which never happened just to sound cool.
The list of people who in their sixties, seventies, and even older told the world to stand still and let them shine is endless. If they could do it, what is stopping you? Search out these people and draw inspiration from them. They are living proof to all of us that we are never too old to reach for the stars.
Finally, if you feel you have missed a window of opportunity because of your age, get angry and find a door. Break a wall, do anything but don’t give up. If you don’t try, you will live a life of frustration tied with the bow of regret. Remember, if you think that taking that first step is a waste of time because of your age, then you may probably have nothing but regrets to live on.
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Love,
Diane
