It's Never Too Late to Start Something New
Starts with the First Step: Are You Ready?
The fear of embarking on a new journey, especially in the later stages of life, is a common struggle that many of us face. We all yearn for something new, something better, or a chance to pursue our passions or callings, but often find ourselves halted by roadblocks.
Fear of what others will think.
Fear we won't be any good at what we try.
Fear others already doing what we want to try will tower above us as we branch out.
Fear of losing placeholders in our daily lives, even if we're ready for change.
Fear our partner or key person won't support us.
The list is long and varied, but each of these has a common thread: assignment of blame for why we're putting off taking a risk to try and do something new.
Change is never easy, especially when we're yearning for it. But it's important to remember that it's never too late to pursue our dreams, to strive for something different and better. Even in the face of fear, change is always a possibility.
It's been a mantra for my life, and it's why I've been able to grow and find joy that once seemed elusive, if not impossible. When I messed up in mid-life and felt like it was too late to get back my career, find a purpose, and make a difference, I recall having a moment of clarity and realization that my failure was a gift, freeing me to do anything I wanted and needed to do.
And I did that: rebuilding my life and work without fear.
It worked, as it does for most, because even if it doesn't work -- we're no longer thinking, I wanted to become a writer in late life, or an artist, or I want to sell real estate or run a bed and breakfast, or live alone on an island for 12 months, or adopt a child, or ten. Whatever crazy ideas and callings we have, it's never too late. All that's required is saying it out loud and taking the first steps.
I love this latest episode of A Little Crazy with David Magee podcast out today with my lifelong friend Debra Hewitt, an Alabama-based artist. We grew up together in Oxford, Mississippi, and were best friends in middle school. More than four decades later, I marveled at watching her pursue her passion for faith-based art.
In this episode, Debra explains how, at midlife, she had a calling to do something different and how, with support from her husband Bobby (support is key), she took a leap of Faith as an artist, developing a following and business that is growing and fulfilling her dreams while placing her work throughout the country into homes and businesses to bring joy and light.
I hope you'll listen to this episode with Debra and use it as inspiration as one year closes and a new year dawns.
Consider what dreams you want to pursue, remembering that it's never too late.
You can do what you dream. All that's required is that first step.