I’m on all the big social media networks, but to be honest they’re mostly a bore for me at this point. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing what friends are up to, photos of their kids, and just funny memes and things like that. But it’s kinda the same old, same old (mostly) at this point.
The one social network that I’m absolutely addicted to, though, is Twitter. I never really was into it until about 4 or 5 years ago, but I’ve been hooked since I started using it regularly, because it’s kinda like a social network of people you don’t really know — and you can have conversations with people that fascinate you, from writers and scientists to actors and musicians, to really anyone.
The other day, I stumbled across this Twitter thread that I found both inspiring and thought-provoking. It made me wonder, why do we focus so much on achievement in the earliest stages of life, when SO MUCH interesting stuff happens to us later in life. (Just to name a couple, Ray Kroc didn’t launch McDonald’s until he was 59, and Delia Owens didn’t publish “Where the Crawdads Sing” until she was 69.)
My question to you guys is, how are you thinking about the goals and dreams you want to pursue once you’re “grown up”? (Whatever that means!) We all need pursuits, we all need something to look forward to — even if it’s just a vacation. What are you dreaming of for the pursuits you’ll pursue, and how are you finding the courage to dare?
I realize this is a bit of a rambling post/question, but it’s what’s on my mind — and I’d love to know what’s on yours too. 😃 — Terrell
I come from a family of ten kids... my dad didn't have a great job so I knew college wasn't in the cards when i graduated from HS... I joined the marines and learned that your destiny is in your own hands... After surviving Vietnam and my first marriage I only then grew up. I raised two sons and have a wife that makes me a better man. In my later years, I've done things that people said I couldn't... I always loved to write and was even told by a peer that I didn't have a clue how it's done... I took a class and never looked back... I'm finishing my 7th and last novel... I live by the saying,
"You can do ANYTHING if you really want to," well maybe with exceptions...In my 70's I do what I want ... I've earned that right, and have learned that if you don't push yourself you'll never know how far you can go... So when someone says "You Can't!" look then straight in the eyes and tell them, "You don't have a clue what I'm capable of," and prove him wrong!
Well, maybe the physical body is grown-up, but not the mind! There is just too much to be interested in. Mostly, I've been going through what WAS interesting to me and tossing it aside so there is room for something new, though I don't know what!
My training keeps me motivated, as does the outdoors. The Golden Gate Half was a true surprise!! I thought the slate was clean for the rest of this year, but since I entered, I'm out 5 days a week--again!.
Odd that one would think being in their 50s was old. My friend in AZ was so excited that she was 50 in 2020, that she held off her BD party until this year. She just finished the Trans-Rockies a few weeks ago--126 miles--and keeps running Ultras.
I've been running over 10 years now. Started when I was 61. Recently, I've turned to my Step-Grandmother's way that she would say how old she was. She reversed the numbers every year! She passed on when she was 49 years old. . .(94). . . out doing some Christmas shopping. :) Making my age 47 is great and I feel really young again! Now, Terrell, if you were to be 05 instead of Five-Oh, wouldn't you feel great. I loved being 5, tho my favorite was 11. Guess I have to reach 110 to make that reversal!
Thanks Terrell for sharing this powerful Twitter thread and to all of you for your inspiration! With a couple of years of year round running under my belt, I’m returning to my goal of running 2 half marathons (fall and spring) then running a full marathon sometime after I become an empty nester in 2022. I believe fulfilling this dream will unleash other to be re-discovered pursuits!
At age 70 I decided to my 1st marathon. I’m 79 now and have run 5 with the 6th marathon coming March ‘21 in Little Rock. All due to the accomplishments and aspirations of others that I admired.
When I "grew up" at age 72 and then retired, my wife was in a panic mode since I had no hobbies to keep me out of the house, and I told her I could help her become more organized and efficient around the house. For some reason, she didn't want any parts of that- she just wanted me out of the house until dinner time or so. So, not knowing what else to do, I took up competitive running and joined the fifty states half marathon club and that has kept me "out of her hair for the last 12 years. I have 3 more halfs to reach my goal of all 50 states.
Tyrell, I got lucky, or unlucky depending on perspective, as I was at a crossroads in my mid-30's [I know, a little early for this example] when I was given the chance to teach - a friend needed a teacher mid-year, knew I was "looking" for something and thought I could handle it [best thing I ever did or was granted the chance to do]. I literally walked into my fist classroom without any experience, nor knowledge, of what a teacher does. I have been doing so ever since, this year being my 18th year in the classroom! I don't "work", I teach and in teaching, there is no off time!
I always wanted to write science fiction, but never got serious about it until I was well into my thirties. I was devastated by my first rejection and nearly quit submitting, but I stuck with it and a shoe box full of rejection slips later I sold my first story. Then another. And after a while I managed to even sell a few novels. Haven't sold much lately, but I keep trying!
But, if I have a goal at 59, it's to write some songs and put them out, whether on Youtube or just singing them somewhere live if I can find a venue. It's funny, I have no problem being on stage - I've been in bands since I was 17 and been writing and performing in local plays since I was in my twenties - but it makes me so nervous to sing something that I have written I almost can't do it. Which, of course is the perfect reason to force myself to!
I had no problem acquiring new dreams and goals throughout my life, but but that being "grown up" thing I have have never be able to master. Probably because I didn't "apply myself ".
LOVE Twitter and I remember coming across this story on there a while ago. I just love it and it's a reminder that it's NEVER too late to become who we want or were meant to be! Along these same lines of what others have expressed - Rich Roll has a quote I love: Most overestimate what they can do in a year and wildly underestimate what they can do in a decade.
This week I was reading about Frank Lloyd Wright. The architect that designed Falling Water, a house in Pennsylvania built over a waterfall. At the time he was 67. Between the ages of 67-91 he had his most productive years designing over 120 houses. This inspired me. Someone told me when I turned 50 “You know if you were a dollar you’ve only got about 25 cents left to live”. My answer was yes but this last quarter is made of gold :). I love to write. My mom will jokingly tell you she started to write before she started to crawl. I want to publish a devotional that combines my passion for running and traveling. Been very blessed to have traveled to 72 countries and my favorite way of exploring them is running. A quote I read penned it down in a beautiful way:
“Sometimes one day in a different place gives you more than ten years of life at home.”
Thanks for this topic, Terrell! Speaking of doing things at the “9s” in our life, Daniel Pink has a fascinating chapter in his book called WHEN (subtitle: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing). He addresses marathon runners in his chapter called “Endings” and draws from some social psychologists’ research that they labeled “9-enders,” meaning the last year of a decade. Here’s a quote: “Like beginnings and midpoints, endings quietly steer what we do and how we do it. Indeed, endings of all kinds—of experiences, projects, semesters, negotiations, stages of life—shape our behavior in four predictable ways. They help us ENERGIZE, ENCODE, EDIT, and ELEVATE” (emphasis added). He follows each of those four categories in depth. Examples & more partial quotes: “9-enders are overrepresented among first-time marathoners by a whopping 48%. . . . Age 29 is when most were likely to run their first marathon. . . . And, 29-year-olds were about 2X as likely to run a marathon as 28- and 30-year-olds.” Pink adds this comment: “When people near the end of the arbitrary marker of a decade, something awakens in their minds that alters their behavior.” So, at 69, I am excited about THIS year…as much as any other I’ve lived!!
I was staying with my 3 grandchildren and driving them somewhere. They were spatting back and forth like kids do. So I told them that they had to pay each other a compliment. When it came time for my 12-year-old grandson to say something about me, this was the compliment. “Well you are pretty active - for an old person.” I just cracked up.
I definitely understand. I hated running as a young person because it was punishment for mistakes while playing other sports. I ran my first race (a half) when I was 57, and ran my first full 5 months later. Over the course of the next 9 years, I ran 56 races and loved everything about it. Nothing happened last year for obvious reasons. During that time, I had meniscus surgery for a non-running mishap. I continued to experience pain for nearly a year. Upon seeking a second opinion, I found out that I have an uncommon condition in a bone in the same knee that has ended my distance running career. I will never be one to feel sorry for myself, especially after being blessed with wonderful running friends and experiences. I will find other things to do for my health. I have also started playing guitar, and hope to someday have the courage to do open mic nights. There is no end to doing new things. And, May I add that I turned 68 yesterday. And I started working on a new and challenging song last night. I can’t comprehend the meaning of the word ‘quit.’
I love this! Being a woman over 50 I can totally relate to this. It's weird how once we reach a certain age women tend to be relegated to the background. Sometimes in meetings I feel invisible and I am getting to the point where I really am tired of fighting to be heard. If you don't value my experience and input then you don't deserve to hear it. I have talked with friends my age and they experience the same thing. Luckily I am in a position that I will be able to retire early in a couple of years. After that I think I would like to switch gears and maybe work part-time as a wellness coach or personal trainer. My husband retired this year from a community college and as his spouse I can take classes there for free. They have programs in both of these areas which would be enough to get me going. Never stop learning and never stop reinventing yourself!
I come from a family of ten kids... my dad didn't have a great job so I knew college wasn't in the cards when i graduated from HS... I joined the marines and learned that your destiny is in your own hands... After surviving Vietnam and my first marriage I only then grew up. I raised two sons and have a wife that makes me a better man. In my later years, I've done things that people said I couldn't... I always loved to write and was even told by a peer that I didn't have a clue how it's done... I took a class and never looked back... I'm finishing my 7th and last novel... I live by the saying,
"You can do ANYTHING if you really want to," well maybe with exceptions...In my 70's I do what I want ... I've earned that right, and have learned that if you don't push yourself you'll never know how far you can go... So when someone says "You Can't!" look then straight in the eyes and tell them, "You don't have a clue what I'm capable of," and prove him wrong!
Well, maybe the physical body is grown-up, but not the mind! There is just too much to be interested in. Mostly, I've been going through what WAS interesting to me and tossing it aside so there is room for something new, though I don't know what!
My training keeps me motivated, as does the outdoors. The Golden Gate Half was a true surprise!! I thought the slate was clean for the rest of this year, but since I entered, I'm out 5 days a week--again!.
Odd that one would think being in their 50s was old. My friend in AZ was so excited that she was 50 in 2020, that she held off her BD party until this year. She just finished the Trans-Rockies a few weeks ago--126 miles--and keeps running Ultras.
I've been running over 10 years now. Started when I was 61. Recently, I've turned to my Step-Grandmother's way that she would say how old she was. She reversed the numbers every year! She passed on when she was 49 years old. . .(94). . . out doing some Christmas shopping. :) Making my age 47 is great and I feel really young again! Now, Terrell, if you were to be 05 instead of Five-Oh, wouldn't you feel great. I loved being 5, tho my favorite was 11. Guess I have to reach 110 to make that reversal!
Did my first half at 53 and my first full at 54, and everyone here keeps inspiring me, so who knows what else I’ll be able to accomplish!
Thanks Terrell for sharing this powerful Twitter thread and to all of you for your inspiration! With a couple of years of year round running under my belt, I’m returning to my goal of running 2 half marathons (fall and spring) then running a full marathon sometime after I become an empty nester in 2022. I believe fulfilling this dream will unleash other to be re-discovered pursuits!
At age 70 I decided to my 1st marathon. I’m 79 now and have run 5 with the 6th marathon coming March ‘21 in Little Rock. All due to the accomplishments and aspirations of others that I admired.
Thanks for your newsletters.
When I "grew up" at age 72 and then retired, my wife was in a panic mode since I had no hobbies to keep me out of the house, and I told her I could help her become more organized and efficient around the house. For some reason, she didn't want any parts of that- she just wanted me out of the house until dinner time or so. So, not knowing what else to do, I took up competitive running and joined the fifty states half marathon club and that has kept me "out of her hair for the last 12 years. I have 3 more halfs to reach my goal of all 50 states.
Tyrell, I got lucky, or unlucky depending on perspective, as I was at a crossroads in my mid-30's [I know, a little early for this example] when I was given the chance to teach - a friend needed a teacher mid-year, knew I was "looking" for something and thought I could handle it [best thing I ever did or was granted the chance to do]. I literally walked into my fist classroom without any experience, nor knowledge, of what a teacher does. I have been doing so ever since, this year being my 18th year in the classroom! I don't "work", I teach and in teaching, there is no off time!
I always wanted to write science fiction, but never got serious about it until I was well into my thirties. I was devastated by my first rejection and nearly quit submitting, but I stuck with it and a shoe box full of rejection slips later I sold my first story. Then another. And after a while I managed to even sell a few novels. Haven't sold much lately, but I keep trying!
But, if I have a goal at 59, it's to write some songs and put them out, whether on Youtube or just singing them somewhere live if I can find a venue. It's funny, I have no problem being on stage - I've been in bands since I was 17 and been writing and performing in local plays since I was in my twenties - but it makes me so nervous to sing something that I have written I almost can't do it. Which, of course is the perfect reason to force myself to!
I had no problem acquiring new dreams and goals throughout my life, but but that being "grown up" thing I have have never be able to master. Probably because I didn't "apply myself ".
LOVE Twitter and I remember coming across this story on there a while ago. I just love it and it's a reminder that it's NEVER too late to become who we want or were meant to be! Along these same lines of what others have expressed - Rich Roll has a quote I love: Most overestimate what they can do in a year and wildly underestimate what they can do in a decade.
This week I was reading about Frank Lloyd Wright. The architect that designed Falling Water, a house in Pennsylvania built over a waterfall. At the time he was 67. Between the ages of 67-91 he had his most productive years designing over 120 houses. This inspired me. Someone told me when I turned 50 “You know if you were a dollar you’ve only got about 25 cents left to live”. My answer was yes but this last quarter is made of gold :). I love to write. My mom will jokingly tell you she started to write before she started to crawl. I want to publish a devotional that combines my passion for running and traveling. Been very blessed to have traveled to 72 countries and my favorite way of exploring them is running. A quote I read penned it down in a beautiful way:
“Sometimes one day in a different place gives you more than ten years of life at home.”
Thanks for this topic, Terrell! Speaking of doing things at the “9s” in our life, Daniel Pink has a fascinating chapter in his book called WHEN (subtitle: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing). He addresses marathon runners in his chapter called “Endings” and draws from some social psychologists’ research that they labeled “9-enders,” meaning the last year of a decade. Here’s a quote: “Like beginnings and midpoints, endings quietly steer what we do and how we do it. Indeed, endings of all kinds—of experiences, projects, semesters, negotiations, stages of life—shape our behavior in four predictable ways. They help us ENERGIZE, ENCODE, EDIT, and ELEVATE” (emphasis added). He follows each of those four categories in depth. Examples & more partial quotes: “9-enders are overrepresented among first-time marathoners by a whopping 48%. . . . Age 29 is when most were likely to run their first marathon. . . . And, 29-year-olds were about 2X as likely to run a marathon as 28- and 30-year-olds.” Pink adds this comment: “When people near the end of the arbitrary marker of a decade, something awakens in their minds that alters their behavior.” So, at 69, I am excited about THIS year…as much as any other I’ve lived!!
I was staying with my 3 grandchildren and driving them somewhere. They were spatting back and forth like kids do. So I told them that they had to pay each other a compliment. When it came time for my 12-year-old grandson to say something about me, this was the compliment. “Well you are pretty active - for an old person.” I just cracked up.
I definitely understand. I hated running as a young person because it was punishment for mistakes while playing other sports. I ran my first race (a half) when I was 57, and ran my first full 5 months later. Over the course of the next 9 years, I ran 56 races and loved everything about it. Nothing happened last year for obvious reasons. During that time, I had meniscus surgery for a non-running mishap. I continued to experience pain for nearly a year. Upon seeking a second opinion, I found out that I have an uncommon condition in a bone in the same knee that has ended my distance running career. I will never be one to feel sorry for myself, especially after being blessed with wonderful running friends and experiences. I will find other things to do for my health. I have also started playing guitar, and hope to someday have the courage to do open mic nights. There is no end to doing new things. And, May I add that I turned 68 yesterday. And I started working on a new and challenging song last night. I can’t comprehend the meaning of the word ‘quit.’
I love this! Being a woman over 50 I can totally relate to this. It's weird how once we reach a certain age women tend to be relegated to the background. Sometimes in meetings I feel invisible and I am getting to the point where I really am tired of fighting to be heard. If you don't value my experience and input then you don't deserve to hear it. I have talked with friends my age and they experience the same thing. Luckily I am in a position that I will be able to retire early in a couple of years. After that I think I would like to switch gears and maybe work part-time as a wellness coach or personal trainer. My husband retired this year from a community college and as his spouse I can take classes there for free. They have programs in both of these areas which would be enough to get me going. Never stop learning and never stop reinventing yourself!
Charlotte Clymer is incredibly inspiring. If anyone doesn’t follow her, they need to start. Thanks for sharing, Terrell.