“Too Late”

Do the words, “too late” cross your lips sometimes? You hear of someone doing something exciting…like going back to school, traveling somewhere interesting, or maybe even going on a short term volunteer trip? And you say to yourself, “too late for me”! It’s not too late. I have realized that many people around us are constantly doing new and exciting things. I was 45 when I changed direction in my life and moved to Africa. This was a lifelong dream, one that I never saw coming to fruition. But it did, and I look forward to many new experiences in the years to come.

For many years we had a neighbor who lived life to the fullest. In her 70’s she was still swimming in a freezing lake every morning, while I drooped over a cup of coffee and wished I could be like her. In her early 80’s she learned Japanese so she could go and visit Japan and enjoy all aspects of it. She was vital and loved life. My mother has been studying and learning for her entire life. Even now, at 70, she earned a diploma from a distance learning program. In Africa we met a missionary couple who moved there after retiring. They are in their 70’s, living on their pension, and making a huge difference in the community. These are just a few examples of people that haven’t said it is too late.

Do you have a dream? Do you want to write, learn a new language, volunteer abroad, or maybe go back to school and change your career altogether? Then do it! Figure out a way. It’s easy to sit and feel sorry for oneself, and wallow in pity. “I can’t afford it”, “I am too old”…these are phrases that we shouldn’t allow to cross our lips. If you can squirrel away $50 a month even…within 2-3 years, you will have enough to go abroad and volunteer for a few months. If you want to go to school…start by taking one or two evening or online classes. Start small, if the feeling of total change overwhelms you.

What is it that you want to do? There is nothing more invigorating that making a change. Big or small. No dream is too much. Don’t talk down to them and don’t listen to the doubters and naysayers around you…and trust me, if you want to make a change, someone will try to talk you out of it. Live your dreams! God sees the desires of your heart. He gives us dreams and visions of what we could do. Trust Him and move forward. You won’t regret it.