Key Takeaway: You’re never too young or too old to make a difference and to live your purpose! What matters is that you are open to it when that time comes, now or later.
Last week, we discussed the topic of late bloomers, and how being one is not an obstacle whatsoever in purpose. Today, we take on a similar and related concept that is just as important for purpose.
Age.
Inspirational anecdotes of those who stuck to their purposes and made a difference won’t always show it, but these people are across a wide range of ages from the very young to the very old. And, like late bloomers, age is not – and should not – serve as a deterrent to your purpose. If it comes early, it comes early and it would be a sin to be oblivious to it. If it comes late, it comes late. What matters is that you seize the opportunity to live your purpose no matter how old you are.
Danny Gokey, the third-placer on season 8 of American Idol, released as the lead single from his début album a song called “My Best Days are Ahead of Me”. It’s rife with reflections appreciating where one is in their life right now, and no matter what, the future is always bright. It includes a variation of the well-known adage: “Age ain’t nothing but a number” – and it really is nothing but a number.
That you’re one year closer to death doesn’t mean you’re any less worthy for not having discovered your purpose yet, if you haven’t. In God’s plan, our whole lives are timeless – across so many levels. The painter Grandma Moses did not start doing so until she was 78 years old. On the other hand, Céline Dion’s first-ever song was recorded at age twelve, and she released her first album the following year, in 1981.
Remember, purpose is very individualistic: it is highly unique to each and every one of us. And that includes the time when it manifests in your life the most. Because purpose is your overall life direction that entails being discovered and acted on, it can never, ever be forced out of you – or it wouldn’t be true purpose at all! True purpose is always organic, and with that comes the insight that it doesn’t matter how old you are – as long as you open yourself up to it, accept it, and live it, when that time comes.
So don’t let anyone tell you you’re too young or too old – especially when what you’re doing is in line with your purpose. It’s not the same for everybody – and that includes age! Just trust that in time, whether now or later, you’ll find yourself.
Have a purposeful weekend!
Aloy Chua 