by Sunny Simon
On the day my little niece, Aisalynn, turned four the first thing she asked her mother was if she looked any bigger. I guess, when you are four, you want to look big. I can assure you however, that is not the question I will ask anyone on my next birthday. What I do query on my birthday is have I done a good job of growing up? Am I wiser? Have I made a contribution?
I do feel wiser than when I was in my twenties when, of course, I knew it all. I listen more and speak less. When I do speak, I speak my truth. No beating around the bush anymore. Getting to the heart of the matter quickly and succinctly is my objective. Before I do open my mouth, I try to keep in mind the principle 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 also know I am still in the process of growing up. No matter how many candles are lit on our cake, we need to challenge ourselves to keep stretching and growing. If you ever 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.
Need proof? Anna Mary Robertson, aka Grandma Moses, is an excellent role model. Arthritic at the age of 76, she gave up embroidery and began to paint. Thinking about writing a book? The Irish-American author Frank McCourt, who wrote the bestseller, Angela’s Ashes, did not begin writing until he hit sixty. Ever thought about a career on stage? Danny Aiello did not begin acting until he was forty. Thinking of launching an entrepreneurial venture? The king of fried chicken Colonel Sanders was in his sixties before he started his franchise. Need a sport figure hero? Kurt Warner, did not enter the NFL until he was 28 and became a two-time MVP and Super Bowl Champion. Is music your passion? Al Jarreau, seven-time Grammy award winner, did not release his first album until he was almost 40.
My bottom line to the young and those a bit beyond young; there are no limitations to what you can accomplish. Pursue your passion, follow your heart and never, ever surrender your dreams. Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. More about Sunny at www.raisethebarhigh.com
