Don’t Let Age Keep You From Living Your Best Life Yet

Dream big and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream” — C. S. Lewis

We’re babyboomers. It’s easy to fall into the trap of viewing life as a downhill spiral. Take it from one who knows.

Conversations increasingly revolve around complaining about our aching bodies. Doctors’ visits are more frequent.

When we were younger, we excitedly looked forward to the future. Now, our focus has shifted to the past — sadly, all too often with regrets. About all the things we should have done, but never did.

As if the best years have come and gone.

Our thoughts run wild — imagining what life might have or could have been if we made different choices.

“Was Jane or Harry the right one”? “What if I had married Suzan or John”? “Would life be any different if I had or hadn’t had children”?

“What if I had chosen a different career path — would my days be any less stressful — would I have earned a better salary and ultimately a higher retirement income”?

“What if I had bought that house in Colorado next to my best friend Tom; would I still whip his ass at the domino tournaments held every year in our neighborhood”?

I have my own set of what-ifs that I use to torture myself with.

“What would my life be if I never got married when I did? I still can’t wrap my head around how stupid I was for tieing the knot at 17.

What was I thinking? No one had put a gun to my head, forced or threatened me into it. I was just foolish to think I was ready to be a woman… searching for love in all the wrong places and for the wrong reasons.

“What would life be like if I hadn't left my marriage that wasn’t working”? All those years I would have been stuck in an unbearable relationship.

At least, one good thing came out of it — I was blessed with my only child. My son is now an adult but he's the pride, joy, and my reason for living.

Now I look forward to my grandchildren he and his future wife may bring into the world someday. I can't wait for the joy they will bring me in years to come.

I have no regrets. I’m proud of myself that I learned from the many mistakes I’ve made. Those lessons turned me into the woman I am today.

Even being involved with a married man. A bad, bad decision at the time. Yet, looking back on how much I grew from that mistake, I now embrace the experience wholeheartedly.

Were there things I would have done differently if given a second chance?

“Hell Yes!” But I can’t change the past. I’m grateful I had the wisdom to learn from my errors.

There’s a world of dreams you can turn into reality in your babyboomer years. You only need to stop with the negative self-talk and give your dreams an honest shot at becoming reality by putting forth the effort.

Perhaps you’ve always wanted to start your own business. You’re not too old so don’t allow yourself to get sucked into believing it.

I got one heck of an inspiring story for you …

Have you heard of Ray Kroc?

In his early 50’s, he was a milkshake salesman. One day, during his lunch break, he stumbled upon a restaurant that made tasty hamburgers. So very delicious that he bought the business from the two brothers who owned it. Their last name was McDonald — perhaps you’ve heard that name somewhere. Ray decided to name the store after them, only needed to append an “apostrophe and an s” onto the end. The rest is history.

Or, albeit on a smaller scale, perhaps you’ve always dreamed of writing a book. Many folks on Medium well into their babyboomer years have started writing careers.

Charles Darwin was 50 when he published “On the Origins of the Species.“ His book shaped the subject of evolution forever.

How about starting that consultancy business you’ve always hoped to do but never thought you were capable of? Your expertise and life experience could make a difference and impart some well-needed knowledge.

Or that backyard garden project you never quite got around to in your working years — isn’t now an opportune time to start tackling it?

Are you still thinking of pursuing that college degree? If you think it will bring you personal fulfillment and a sense of achievement you feel is lacking, then go for it!

Novelist Robert Louis Stephenson said it best — “To be what we are and to become what we are capable of becoming is the only end in life”.

Use those wise words as inspiration. I do. So far, even though I’m only 51, it’s making my baby boomer years that much more fulfilling. And exciting.

My wish for you — dream big, and put in your best effort towards turning those dreams into reality. You’ll never know what you’re capable of until you try!

Oh, before I forget — enjoy the process.

Is there something you’ve missed out on in life that you feel you’re now too old to make a reality?

Tell me about it in the comments.