Many people worry that they are too old to begin anew in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s…but not me.  I am surrounded by brilliant women, and men, successfully navigating a second, or third, act and reinventing their lives!  They inspire me, and lead me to believe that it can be done! My whole family is a bouquet of  “late bloomers!”  During his successful career as an Interior Designer, my father went back to school part-time in order to study his passions: History, Political Science and Government. He graduated with his Masters, Magna Cum Laude, at age 60.  He is 85 now, and still teaching!

You are never too old. Well, maybe for a mini-skirt, but otherwise, age is just an excuse we use to keep from experiencing the fear and insecurity of trying something new.  Ask yourself this: If you don’t pursue your dream now, in 10 years will you regret not having done so?      Here are some inspirational people who came late to the party:

Since I love to cook and eat, I’ll start with  Julia Child. She didn’t learn to cook until almost 40 and didn’t  launch her extremely popular TV show until she was 50. I fell in love with her after Dan Akroyd’s impersonation of her on SNL in the 70’s.

Harlan “Colonel” Sanders was 66 when he built his Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. Not great for maintaining a sexy figure (look at his waistline!) but it revolutionized take-home food.

Laura Ingalls Wilder wasn’t a spring (prairie) chicken when she published the first of her beloved  “Little House” books at age 65.

Maya Angelou was in her 60’s when her poetry and books became popular. She has published 7 autobiographies, 5 books of essays and several books of poetry. She has even been invited to read her poetry at the White House!

Elizabeth Venturini, a college career strategist says, “Personally, I think all women are ‘late blooming’ as it takes women a couple of decades to develop professionally, personally and spiritually.” 

So, don’t shrug off those dreams, or vague desires. When you find yourself envious, don’t be, instead know that it’s your inner voice  saying, “I’ll have what she’s having!”  We late bloomers are on our (decidedly NOT meteoric) rise, making better, wiser decisions and more than likely, fewer mistakes at this age.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.  Boldness has magic, power and genius in it!  Goethe