I’ve been thinking lately about how many of us have a longing or desire that has either been put on pause, pushed aside, or temporarily or permanently forgotten. Or talents, abilities, and skills that are just waiting to be discovered.
For instance, I recently heard a story of a woman who didn’t discover her talent for drawing until she was in her 80s, and now she has people lining up to buy her work. American folk artist, Grandma Moses didn’t start painting until the age of 78. Julia Child didn’t start learning to cook until she was 40. Louise Hay, self-help author and publisher founded Hay House at the age of 58! Heck, I didn’t start my podcast, Loving Later Life, until I was over 60.
Not Too Late
One theme that is a constant thread in my podcast is that it’s not too late. It’s never too late to pursue a passion or learn new skills. It’s not too late to try, to do, to make something happen that is pulling at you, that won’t leave your heart and mind alone. Something that keeps nagging at you saying, I wish I could, I wish I had, I’d really like to [……] fill in the blank.
Or maybe something is calling to you that you never had any interest in before.
So why not try it? Why not do it?
The reason? We all manage to come up with many!
Do any of the following sound familiar?…
- It’s too risky.
- I’m too old.
- People would think I’m nuts.
- I’m afraid to “fail.”
- I don’t have the time.
- I missed my window of opportunity.
- I tried before and it didn’t go well.
Remember, please, that the number one regret of the dying is not what they did do, but what they didn’t do.
Listen to your inner knowing, perhaps it’s even your younger self who is still in there.
That Voice: Listen to It
When I was about 24 years old, I saw a speaker who revved my engine so much so that I wrote to them asking if I could have a conversation with them about public speaking. I never heard back from them but to this day, I can still picture sitting there thinking, I want to do that.
Fast forward 41 years, and I will be doing it. An hour-long keynote, and my brain is fighting me big time, trying its best to convince me in a multitude of ways (some quite valid, by the way), that maybe I’ve taken on more than I should have at this time.
I’ve been on stage in many different venues and in many ways speaking and performing, but an hour-long keynote is a first, and it won’t be the last.
There is a quote from Paulo Coelho, “One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do it now.”
What Are We Waiting For?
I think I can safely say that we’ve all had a recent conversation about how fast time is going. Am I right? Something like, I can’t believe it’s almost Fall!
Here’s the thing: time is going to keep tick-tocking no matter what, so what exactly are we afraid of happening if we try whatever it is?
So what if we try something and we don’t like it or discover we’re not good at it? Honestly, who cares if we fail fabulously or “succeed”?
Time is going to pass regardless, so why does the outcome matter so much?
And what, pray tell, qualifies as successful anyway? I believe we’ve grown up in a society where productivity is rewarded and revered and seen as some kind of success. I happen to believe that merely making the attempt to do something qualifies as a success.
I ask again, what are you waiting for? If it’s putting that bathing suit on and wearing it to the pool proudly, getting up to sing at a karaoke party, going on a trip by yourself, learning to play pickle ball, go sky diving, taking a painting class…
What. Do. We. Have. To Lose!?
Life is an adventure. And the truth is that our brains are wired to scan for threats and keep us safe. A quote I once read decades ago just popped into my head. It’s by American author John Shedd: “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”
Also, us. We were not made to remain moored to the couch.
So, what’s it gonna be!?
Will you consider getting quiet and listening to what is bubbling up for you, pulling at you, calling to you? Will you take one small step toward it?
If you’re looking for a sign, this is it.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
So, what are you waiting for? What thing(s) have you been putting off or not daring to even try?
