As they get older many people slow down and that’s quite natural. We may shift from tennis to Pickleball or find that we must now take a cart when playing a round of golf. We adjust to the decline that occurs in our bodies, even if we don’t “feel old” in our minds. That includes adjusting our dreams and goals to better align with our physical abilities. The important thing is to continue to have dreams and goals as we age. Sitting in a rocking chair on the porch is nice relaxation, but it is not (or should not be) a goal.
Many people, having reached retirement age turn the pursue of a hobby or pastime into a goal. For many, finally having the time to sit and read has been a goal for some time and now it is within reach. For some being able to devote more time to a sport like golf or Pickleball is the fulfillment of a dream. Finally getting the time to travel is a dream come true for many.
The point is that getting older is not a time to withdraw from life and just sit around waiting for the end. It is a time to have new dreams and goals; dreams and goals for which you finally have the time to pursue. Sometimes those dreams involve achieving person goals or maybe reliving an earlier success in life. Yuichiro Miura is the oldest person in the world to ever climb to the summit of Mount Everest at the age of 80. He first set the record in 2003 at the age of 70, but reclaimed the record – after other people had beaten it – when he was 80 years old in 2013. He was not too old to dream and have goals.
Admittedly, most of us will have slightly less ambitious dreams and goals than Mr. Miura had. It could involve things like going back to school to get that diploma or degree that you didn’t have time for earlier in life. Maybe it means taking up that hobby or pursuit that you abandoned years ago out of the necessity to earn a living. It could involve reestablishing contact with long lost friends. Things like learning a new language or learning to play an instrument are hard at any age but possible at all ages. If you have thoughts like, “I always want to see this”, or “I always wanted to do this” or maybe “I always wanted to be this”; then make “this” your goal.
You are not too old to have new dreams. You are old enough not to let the “coulda, woulda, shoulda’s” of life hold you prisoner.
Put yourself in the Nike frame of mind and “Just Do it”.
NormsMilfordBlog 