“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C. S. Lewis
Happy Monday!
I hope you had a great weekend doing all the things that bring you joy and help you relax! I had some rare alone time, which gave me pause to dream a bit and consider the future. You see, I recently got some news that changes things. It’s good news, but it gives me a new perspective and prompts me to reconsider.
Sometimes, we get stuck in the way we think and do things. We feel like we’ve finally got a routine that works, or we’re comfortable in our predictability. Perhaps we worked hard to get where we are, and even if we’re bored or not quite as happy as we thought we’d be, we continue on because we believe we should.
Many of us get lost in the what-ifs and can’t seem to make a choice to move forward. And some of us are too terrified of change to even consider how a new direction might enhance our quality of life. I recall when my parents decided to retire at 65 and 67, respectively. They did it because they’d earned it and because that’s what people were supposed to do. Within six months, they were miserable. It didn’t take long before they both found their separate ways back into the business world. Pop bought a new business, and Mom began an entirely new career.
What worked for others didn’t work for them. They had to dream a new dream and find a new path to happiness. It was the best decision of their lives. They didn’t work as hard as they had before retirement. They traveled and enjoyed their lives. But they reestablished purpose through meaningful work, and that made them happier than retirement.
One of my favorite authors is C. S. Lewis. Here’s a relevant quote:
I wonder how often we discount ourselves for one reason or another. Maybe we feel we’re too old or too young. Perhaps we think we lack experience or are overqualified. We might think we don’t have the capacity to learn something new or retain information. Maybe we’re just plain afraid ~ of change, of failure, of the unknown ~ and we don’t want to risk embarrassment.
And you know what else? These aren’t selectively aging ideas, either. Young or old, we all have moments of insecurity that can rob us of opportunities to dream and set new goals. Life is in a constant state of flux, and the more adept we become at being comfortable with change, the more likely we’ll be positioned to reap the benefits.
Scripture shares some things about dreams and goals, as well:
“Jacob had a dream. He dreamed there was a ladder that was on the ground and reached up into heaven. He saw the angels of God going up and down the ladder.” Genesis 28:12 (ERV)
“Then Joseph had another dream and described it to his brothers: “I’ve just dreamed again, and this time the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” Genesis 37:9 (CEB)
“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’” Matthew 1:20 (NIV)
“Not that I have already attained or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” Philippians 3:12 (NKJV)
My encouragement to you this week is to let go of the fears that are holding you back from dreaming of more and setting new goals, regardless of your age. Take a deep breath (which is good for you, anyway) and choose to try something new, or that’s on your bucket list. Be brave and push through those annoying thoughts that tell you all the reasons that you won’t succeed. The feeling you’ll get just for trying will be worth the effort, and you’ll have so much fun trying!
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
