I know, the title looks like I’m trying to sell you something. The only thing I ‘m selling in this post is some advice, and it’s worth every penny you’re paying for it.
Something hit me right between the eyes yesterday. I’m not sure what you call it. Maybe an epiphany, or inspiration or lightning. I don’t know.
I try not to get too personal here on this blog. For the purposes of this post I have to so bear with me.
I’m 49. I’m not certain when it happened, but at some point in the recent past I decided it was too late. My health ain’t the greatest and I figured I got about a dozen years left. Too late to do the things I’ve always wanted, so I resigned myself to just try and make it through, figuring out ways to bring in income and just exist. Figured if I got a novel or two done, I’d be ahead of the game and that would be good enough.
Dammit it’s not good enough.
I am turning this boat around. It’s not too late.
I am going to move someplace warm. There’s a lot of things I like about living in Alaska but it is just not normal civilization. Being holed up inside for six months a year should drive a person batty.
I will walk on the beach, I will teach Maddy the joy of exploring the ocean, I will get my sailing game on, I will explore the desert and sleep under the heavens full of stars. I’m throwing off the shackles. I don’t know how I’m going to do this, and frankly I don’t care.
I am going to finish the writing I’ve started. I will have something to show, I will make my mark.
I had given up, but I am demanding a retraction from myself.
Here is where I hope to make an impact on anyone who reads this blog. It is not too late! Stop. Examine what it is you are doing and what you have settled for.
If you think it is too late to start your novel, you’re wrong.
If you think it is too late to finish what you’ve started, you’re wrong.
If you think you have to settle for something you don’t want, you’re wrong.
If you think the best has somehow passed you by, you’re wrong.
If you think it’s too late to (fill in the blank) you’re wrong.
Wow, this is quite the post! I’m sorry to hear about your health, George — but I love your attitude! Thank you for encouraging us, and for telling the truth that it’s NOT too late.
Like you said, it’s NOT good enough to just exist and live Thoreau’s “life of quiet desperation.” When I was 28, I decided that I want to look back on my life when I’m 75 and be satisfied that I lived a full, adventurous, exciting life. So I moved to Africa and taught for 3 years….it was scary and challenging, but I’m so glad I did it. And, I gotta admit, I’m glad it’s over. It was HARD….but it was deep and rich.
Go to the beach, and make your mark with your writing, your novel, your life. You’ve already made a mark with your blog!
Go well,
Laurie
.-= Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen´s last blog ..The Most Important Job for Writers – Being Sticky, Concrete, Memorable =-.
Hi Laurie,
See, that is exactly what I mean. Teaching in Africa? What a wonderful experience. I’m sure the things you experienced there did enrich your life and are treasures for you.
Thanks for the comment with your kind words
George
Oh George… you have moved me to tears, both with the sadness of the time of giving up and the power of the affirmation that say’s it’s not too late. It’s not, it never is. I’ve had some amazing evidence of that this week. It never is.
Good luck with your amazing dreams!
Joanna,
So thankful for you and your stopping by. I’m happy to see that you’ve had evidence of the power of affirmation in your life.
George
You’re right – it’s never too late – and I’m glad you realize this now. I keep the Jiminy Cricket song in my head like a mantra…”I’m going to live to be a hundred and three.” I don’t know that I will, but what a goal to have out in front of me.
Maddy needs a father who has a zest for life as much as you need it for yourself. Put your wings on and fly!
.-= Laura Eno´s last blog ..Time For A Change – #FridayFlash =-.
Hi Laura,
Thanks for the encouragement, and yes, it’s all about Maddy.
George
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Absolutely, Absolutely, Absolutely.
If you stop not, you got nothing. And you don’t know what’s around that next corner. Come on, aren’t you a little bit curious?
.-= Andy Hayes´s last blog ..April News and Travel Deals =-.
I too am sorry to hear about your health, but rest assured your presence here in our little corner of the blogosphere is well-appreciated and writing isn’t all about book deals and whatnot. The process itself is half the achievement and by crikey it’s tough to remember that at times.
Truth is it’s rarely too late for anything.
.-= Iain Broome´s last blog ..2. Copywriting versus creative writing =-.
Bravo George! You will find a way to make this happen.
Although I’m very sorry to hear that your health isn’t good.
Congratulations! You are so right! I think mid-life crisis is so much more about rediscovering the Self that you knew when you were a kid but somehow lost along the way. Welcome to your mid-life realization!
.-= Rose´s last blog ..Is your new car one of these recalled Toyotas? =-.
Way to go George, it is never to late to make a change and as the saying goes, “be the change that you want to see”. You can have do or be anything that you set your mind to so it will all happen for you and when you do get to walk on the desert, sleep under the stars and everything else you have on your listed maybe you will be kind enough to share your adventures with us.
Thanks for your inspiration, time to take a good look at what I have settled for make my list of changes too.
Amanda
.-= Amanda Evans´s last blog ..Ghostwriting Services – How To Avoid Setbacks =-.
I love it George! Cheers to the next adventure in this life and may they be the best years you’ve ever experienced… I look forward to tracking your progress : )
George! I’m in tears! But this post makes me so happy, too! Good for you for taking charge of your life!!!
So sorry about your health. I know all about health battles. There’s hope there, too!
Kudos to you for being a fighter!!!!!! Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!
.-= Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl´s last blog ..Earth Month, Earth Day, Earth Life =-.
*clapping*
Congratulations on coming to this realization! You’re right, our time is limited here and we have to make the most of it. Settling for what is instead of what could be robs us of much joy. I wish you all the best on this journey George. What an inspiration you are!!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Calgary Events – A Day out with Thomas at Heritage Park =-.
George,
Thanks so much for a touching, inspiring, and motivating post! Here’s hoping you’ll find the power to fulfill all the dreams you have now and the vision to discover wonderful new ones along the way, as you continually shed the self-imposed mental limitations we so easily fall prey to. Certainly appreciate your leading the way for the rest of us who have great expectations of doing the same.
Best wishes,
Jeanne
P.S. Found this post via a link posted to Facebook by my blogging friend Michele Tune.
Your words were so important to me and your post moved me so much I cried and cried. Every little girl deserves a father that set the example for what she should expect out of the Universe. I started to write this before about being a musical snob and I sent it into the vapors. Its probably incoherently here, like I am so often. Anyway, my musical snobbishness leads me to believe that anything by Celine Dion is at best trite and at worst anti-feminist. I especially loathed the song “Because You Loved Me” because it is a sappy, co-dependent bunch of hoooey, until I listened to an interview with the woman who wrote the song. She didn’t write a love song about a woman who wasn’t visible ’til some guy loved her, this songwriter was writing a tribute to her father. That changes things dramatically. It’s a number 1 for me now.
Go listen to it. It applies here.
PS Alaskan Factoid-the Inupiaq word “arigaa” means “warm” or “wonderful, great, fabulous” depending on the sentence. I think they’re on to something!
George, Your post is incredibly moving and I hardly know what to say. I’m sorry to hear about your health, but your attitude is phenomenal and you’re going to make the best of whatever unfolds.
George,
I appreciate your sharing your epiphany and applaud your decision to make your dreams come true for you and Maddy. This post alone has obviously made an impact on a number of people, demonstrating that your words have the power to make a difference.
.-= Lillie Ammann´s last blog ..Visual Arts Junction Writing Contest: Hushed Recall =-.
George, George, George!
I’m zooming in late to this post — but I loved it, loved it, loved it!
I hear you brother, loud and clear, and completely agree!
Grab it, get it go for it — and I will be doing the same.
Life may be “limited” for some of us (me included), but it doesn’t mean we can’t pack more into our years while we’re here.
LOVED this post, George! Keep up the great work — you are love here in blogoland! ~xo
.-= Lori (JaneBeNimble)´s last blog ..What She Said =-.
To Everyone:
Gotta say, I’m touched by the comments. I’m not sure that even says enough but you all have to know what your words mean to me.
I’m good to go, folks. My heart tells me, my community tells me. I listen.
Love to you all.
g
Wow..what a post. You left me speechless with this one as i’ve been struggling with something similar. No matter what life throws your way, never give up on your dreams.
Carrie
You tell ‘em George. Great post.
.-= Joel Friedlander´s last blog ..Tribe =-.
I got my college degree last summer at the age of 47, so I am testament that it is never too late. And still am a firm believer. I have yet to go for my master’s degree, finish editing my brother’s novel and get it published, pen my own novel, move to Florida, visit Japan again, etc.
It’s never too late has been my motto for years! As I get older I realize how much is yet to be done. I want to be satisfied in the end days so must keep progressing.
Good luck, George, and best wishes to your health!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..For the Working Class =-.
Definitely a great post George. And what a response too! It really is never too late. You could croak off tomorrow, you never know, so you might as well live life to the fullest right? Awesome!
.-= Christopher´s last blog ..Passive Income: Creating Income When You Can’t Work =-.
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Go George, go!
Whatever you decide, I know you’ll make Maddy proud as well as be teaching her not to settle.
I’m gonna love following your journey.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Bloggers Rehab – Need To Go? =-.
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