“As I’ve traveled the country, we visit tech incubators all the time where women are going into their second or third act in their career and learning how to be software programmers, or how to work at startup companies, and learning a completely different skill set. I think it’s never too late.
Reshma Saujani
It behooves me to keep this to myself and not share it with all my BeyondWomen, and I recently sat in bed thinking and meditating, and I remember a feature I saw on Tina Turner which had prompted me to do some research on her journey. Did you know that Tina’s big break came at age 44? That was an eye-opener for me. Many counted her out. She was referred to as a “nostalgic act” years after splitting from Ike Turner. She got her big break as a solo artist after re-recording Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”, and shortly after The Private Dancer Album, and the rest as they would say is history. She found love three years later at age 47.
There are many Tina Turner’s – having to press the re-start button as in her case. Late bloomers, or representation of “late bloomers”. It shows that when we become aware of who we are and our giftings and our unique contribution to life -ain’t nothing to stop us but ourselves. It is an encouragement to say, “It is never too late” for us to achieve the things we desire.
When I worked in banking, I had an indirect supervisor who I thought was going places; with his professionalism, his ease with customers and to top it all off, I believe he was positioned to become a bank manager in short order. I soon learned after that he was leaving to pursue medicine. Can I share I was shocked at the time? I may have been very early 20’s, and in my innocence, I could not understand the decision he was making. And he did, he is now a doctor and a good one I can imagine.
Over the years, I have witnessed many who have chosen to press the re-start button and follow their dreams, and what they believe will allow them to contribute in a more meaningful way to the world around them. Heck, I am one! I will not tell you the decision is easy but, I assure you that depending on how you decide to move on, it is the right thing to do.
There are so many things we put off or decide that we have long past the age to do. I hope you pause and think about what you are saying to yourself. When I was 20 years old, I could not imagine getting to 40, and 40 seemed so old. Now that I am there and often think about the past, I recognize that 20 years is a lifetime. The bible tells us that we are promised 3 scores and 10, and some of us live way beyond that, and healthily might I add. I believe with this healthy lifestyle upsurge that we are looking at longer lifespans. If this applies to you or even if you know someone who is thinking about changing course; (and if you are 40) you may have another 30 years to accomplish so much and create new memories.
You may want to read this feature where a woman at age 56 says she is living her best life.
Do not allow time to drive your decisions, and do not allow others to influence your actions. You know what is best for you in every moment, and you are what counts. When we do the things we are passionate about, there is no regret but joy, and there is peace. It is never too late to start again. Get rid of the external input that may drive your life, and replace them with your inputs, your thoughts, your motives and go do and be all that you are called to be. Be smart about what you are doing, also never make rash decisions such as walking away from your job, and that is not what I am saying. However, if that is your desire, put a plan in place to transition slowly and successfully. Take a short course or whatever is needed to push you in the direction you want to go and then go.
STAY FOCUSED and stay true to that gift or dream-like Tina did. Eventually, you will find that things will fall in place.
I am, you know, really fighting for myself and my life. And I think the message that I could give to anybody is that it’s never too late to start your life again and dream new dreams.
Jennifer Holliday
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