Recently, my niece Aislynn turned four. On the morning of her birthday, the first thing she asked her mother was “Do I look bigger?” I guess when you’ve just turned four years old, you want to look bigger. I can assure you that wasn’t the question I asked of anyone on my last birthday.
I do wonder if I’ve done a good job of growing up. Am I wiser? Have I contributed? I ask these questions because it seems the older I get, the less I know. Someone once said that wisdom doesn’t necessarily come with age. Sometimes age shows up all by itself. Scary thought!
Truth be told, I do feel wiser than I did in my twenties. Of course, back then, I knew it all. I know that I now listen more and speak less. When I do speak, I speak the truth. There’s no time for beating around the bush anymore. Getting to the heart of the matter quickly and succinctly is my aim.
Before I do open my mouth, I try to keep in mind the principle that Don Miguel Ruiz sets forth in his book The Four Agreements.
Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
I know I am still in the process of growing up. As long as I am still breathing, this process does not stop. No matter what our age, we all need to challenge ourselves to keep stretching and growing. If you catch yourself saying, “I’m too old for that,” cancel the thought. You are never too old to accomplish the dreams of your heart. What we lose in terms of our youth, we gain in experience, self-awareness and wisdom.
Are you doubting this? Here are a few examples that will erase that doubt:
- Anna Mary Robertson (aka Grandma Moses) – At age 76, due to arthritis, she gave up embroidery and began painting. Over the next three decades of life, she produced over 3,600 paintings and established herself as an icon of American folk art.
- Claire Cook – Thinking about writing a book? Cook was first published at age 45. At 50, she walked the red carpet at the Hollywood movie premiere based on her second novel, Must Love Dogs.
- Danny Aiello – Nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award, Aiello did not begin acting until age 40.
- Colonel Sanders – Restaurant entrepreneur Harland Sanders began the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise in his sixties.
- Kurt Warner – This two-time NFL Most Valuable Player and Super Bowl Champion didn’t enter the NFL until age 28.
- Al Jarreau – A seven-time Grammy Award winner, Jarreau didn’t release his first album until he was 38.
- Carol Gardner – Finding herself divorced and in debt at age 52, Garnder went on to create Zelda Wisdom, a highly successful, Oregon-based greeting card and gift company.
Those are merely seven examples that should renew your faith and banish that doubt. There are no limitations in what you can accomplish. It doesn’t matter if you are young or perhaps a bit beyond young.
Do not wait for what you want to come to you. Pursue it with all you are. Keep moving on your path. Follow your heart…
And never, never surrender your dreams!
