Linsey Lanier
Sally Kilpatrick
Sia Huff
Romily Bernard
Darcy Crowder
Marilyn Baron
Tami Brothers
Sandra Elzie
Carol Burnside
Debbie Kaufman
Maxine Davis
Tammy Schubert
Susan Carlisle
Pam Asberry
Lindy Chaffin StartYou’re Never Too Old To … and You’re Never Too Late To …
… blow bubbles in your coke.
… play.
… learn how to surf the Internet.
… fall in love.
… read a fairy tale.
… have a favorite stuffed animal.
… write a book and get it published.
It’s funny how you catch yourself doing things you did when you were small. It releases something so joyous and free. I’m not sure when we start losing our daring or our sense of wonder in small things. That makes it doubly important to keep those feelings of innocence, of hope, of playfulness, and of possibilities alive within us.
In other words, you are never too old
to do what you really want to do.
Have you ever heard someone say, or worse, sat there and thought:
I sure would like to _____ but it’s too late now?
If I weren’t so old, I’d _____.
Some days I just want to be a kid again, but ____”
Or the one I hear so often, “You’re writing a book? Gee, I’ve always wanted to write a book.”
There are some who “go for it” in spite of that annoying nay-saying voice within. Are you one of those?
Elizabeth Wilson felt the tug of China when she was 20. She arrived thirty years later, yet her age proved a treasured asset. In China, as in most societies-—outside our own-—age is honored.
Sadie and Bessie Delaney were spirited and independent African-American sisters. They witnessed the birth of black freedom and the rise of the black middle class in America. They decided to write an autobiography, the best-selling 1993 novel, Having Our Say. They published their story — at ages 101 and 103 years old.
My husband worked for 21 years on the railroad until he took the buy-out. At age 40 he started college then started teaching the 6th grade. He got his master’s degree and is now an administrator. Still loving it and not wanting to retire.
I’m writing books. I hope to get published, but whether I do or not, at least I tried. I sent the manuscript. You can’t feel totally bad if you made the effort and didn’t just sit there and dream about it.
A friend signs her emails with this saying:
“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that.”
-Professor Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, written by J.K. Rowling.
Good advice!
You’re never too old to change; to make a difference. It’s never too late.
By Maxine Davis
Tags: Having Our Say, Maxine Davis, You're Never Too Old
About the author
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Maxine Davis | http://TBAsoon! I am a writer. PRO in Ga. Romance Writers and RWA, working toward publication. I am also a retired educator--teaching and administration. Native Georgian, thank goodness! Married; no children. I love traveling, especially with my husband or with my brother and sister to Maine (THAT was a fun trip.) I love reading, swimming, crocheting, life in general and friends.
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June 25th, 2010 at 6:11 am
Good morning Maxine,
You go girl! No, we’re only too old if we let our head tell us we are. May our hearts always be young…even if our bodies aren’t.
I’d love to be able to just lay on the floor, on my stomach, and not have my back ache and need someone (or the couch) to help me up. (g)
I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to do almost everything I’ve ever wanted to do and what I haven’t done wasn’t that important after all. I have the love of friends and family, know where I’ll be after I leave this world and have a wonderful husband to share life with now.
What else could a girl want?
Loved the inspiring post.
BTW, congrats to your hubby on his promotion to the position he wanted!
Sandy
June 25th, 2010 at 7:46 am
So true! I’ve had several different “lives” in my life. I hope to have at least two more–best-selling author and grandmother extraordinaire!
Have a great day… and thanks for the inspiration!
Anna
June 25th, 2010 at 7:47 am
Sandy,
I thoroughly understand and subscribe to ‘that floor thing.’
Thank you for your comments! I just avoid that mirror when I’m telling myself I am still young although a lot of days I do feel much younger – usually when I’m writing or doing something I love.
June 25th, 2010 at 7:50 am
What a great post. Thank you. I’m going to take it to heart.
Marilyn
June 25th, 2010 at 8:20 am
I adore this post. Like Marilyn, I will truly take it to heart as well. We all need a little inspiration in our lives, and you helped give a little to us today.
Thank you so much for the stories embedded inside too!
Have a brilliant, productive day!
Tamara
June 25th, 2010 at 8:29 am
Maxine, you are so right. I went to visit my best friend from high school earlier this summer. We were swinging while our kids played on the little playground–then we went home and read about how mothers who played with their children were less likely to get major illnesses, like cancer. We high-fived on that one then played Wii Dance with the kids.
That said, there are things I’m too old for. Like wearing a shirt without a bra–that ain’t happening without a certain type of surgery.
June 25th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Anna, I think I see at least one of those “lives” in the near future!
Marilyn, thank you so much. Do something today that will make you feel good.
Tamara, you say such sweet things. A very wonderful day to you too.
June 25th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Sally,
You could still carry it off! My days of being a “hot little number” are in the past, I’m afraid. Ah, but love those memories!
June 25th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Thanks, Maxine, for an inspiring post. I’m getting ready to settle in for a weekend of intense writing (going to get that draft DONE!), and this is JUST what I needed for that extra push.
101 and 103? I’ve got plenty of time.
June 25th, 2010 at 10:59 am
Linsey,
Thanks! I love your comment about age.
June 25th, 2010 at 10:59 am
I LOVE this, Maxine! I, too, send my congrats to your hubby. He deserves this position!!!
Thank you for such a great reminder about never being too old. I’ve spent waaaayyyy too many years living for “tomorrow”. From the age of fourteen, my motto has been, “Life will be great when … happens.” As an adult, I’ve said, “Life will be perfect after I ….” Fill in the blank with anything and everything.
Just in the last two years I’ve realized that if I keep living for that infamous “then” I’m losing the wonderful things that are happening right now. I have a lot of great things going on. I just have to stop and allow myself to experience them.
I sooo can’t wait to read your books. You are always so thoughtful and have a talent for making us all feel so good about ourselves. I can tell you used to be a teacher and that you were great at it. Keep writing, girl!
Tami
Ps – love that quote!
June 25th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Wonderful post. I know what you mean about getting out there and doing the things you want no matter how long it took to get there. Keep on keeping on and I will, too.
June 25th, 2010 at 11:42 am
Hey Maxine:
I’m hoping it’s not too late to get in shape. It’s harder older, but still possible.
June 25th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Maxine, last year I decided to do something I’ve wanted to do for a looooong time – get braces. Some folks look at me like I’m crazy because of my age, but seven months in, I’m already pleased with the progress and look forward to the day I won’t have to choose my food based on bite problems or edit my smile because the angle might accentuate misaligned teeth.
There’s much to lament about aging bodies. Why not do what we can to feel good about ourselves. It’s never too late!
June 25th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Love the post, Maxine! And I love the mantra “It’s never too late”. Somedays that’s the only thing keeping me at the computer…. What a blessing we all have to be able to follow wherever our hearts lead us.
June 25th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Maxine, my motto is, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” But I sign my emails, “The beginning is always today.” Because I believe that, whatever our dreams, the time to start realizing them is NOW. And I still love to play. Just the other night, we went to have dinner at Del Rio and I grabbed a coloring sheet. I had so much fun!
June 25th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Maxine,
Few truer words have been said than it never too late. It is only too late in our minds. Great post. I needed to be reminded of that today.
June 25th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
I feel blessed that I had a health scare at thirty and was told that I’d best choose one or two things that I’d always wanted to do…. and do them NOW.
I set me up for a MUCH better life. My mantra (before Nike tagged it) became Just Do It!
Twen%^&$#* years later, I’m still trying to remember that life’s all about today, no matter what your age!
June 26th, 2010 at 6:12 am
Maxine – Those are such uplifting stories. I’ve never thought about my age when I wanted to attempt something or maybe had to. I was seventeen when i started my first business because I was living on my own and needed to make more money on the side. I never considered my age when I started writing – it was just something I was compelled to do.
I know you’ll reach your goal because, like the other PFHT, you have that drive and persistence.
June 27th, 2010 at 10:22 am
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