How old is too old?

Don’t worry, you aren’t there yet!

One of the most lingering comments I have heard in recent years is, “My life sure didn’t turn out like I thought (or hoped) it would.”

It makes me re-examine my own life goals and dreams.

The world does not exclusively belong to the young.  Just because you are 60, 70, 80 or beyond does not mean your life is over.  It also doesn’t mean you have “missed it”.  Even if your life has been filled with what seems to have been misdirection, mistakes and tragedy, it isn’t over yet.  If your life has been marked by repeated failure, you are not done.

The world still belongs to you.  You have but to take it.

Find your dream, pray to see your purpose and don’t quit.  All of life’s disappointments and failures have been preparation for your next adventure.  You have never been so ready and prepared as you are today.

Years ago my wife and I bought a ranch in West River South Dakota.  We expanded it and improved it.  I wanted trees on the rolling prairie hills and draws.  Every effort I made to plant trees was a failure.  I plowed and tilled tree belts.  When the trees were planted most of them died and the ones that lived didn’t flourish.  I dug post holes with an auger, filled them with topsoil and planted trees.  I watered them.  Most of them died.  I used a tree spade to plant mature trees.  They died.  I bought seeds from a nursery.  Hundreds of thousands of seeds.  All kinds of seeds; every native species I could think of.  I spent hours scattering seeds, planting seeds and even put some out for birds, hoping they could help plant some.  Nothing grew.  After those failed efforts, I was still determined.  I plowed several MILES of tree rows along a drainage on our property.  I tilled the rows several times.  I ordered more trees, about 40,000 of them.  I also ordered landscape fabric.  The fabric is one thing I hadn’t yet tried.  It is supposed to keep moisture in and weeds/grass out.  On the scheduled time for planting, we were in a serious multi-year drought.  I considered cancelling the tree order, but decided to proceed despite everything that was stacked against me.  We planted the trees.  As the last few trees were being planted, it began to rain.  And rain.  And rain.  Now, approaching ten years later, we have a spectacular forest.  I get to see it daily from our home.  Wildlife is abundant.  After learning all the ways NOT to succeed, my efforts were rewarded with a wonderful success.

Such is life.

You may have only spent your life to this point learning how NOT to succeed.  If you keep trying and focus on your dream, it’s not too late.  Your life is not over.  It is still worth living.  There are battles to fight, people to help and victories to win.

Start over.  Again.

***Gordon Howie is an author and CEO of Life and Liberty Media***

“It’s not about right or left, it’s about Right or Wrong.”

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