what if your “what if” CoulD BeCome your reality?

INSPIRATION

As I sit here today writing this article, I think about how, just a few years back, things were completely different for me. Writing an article or having become a published author wasn’t even on my radar. And yet, here I am today, doing things that seemed outside of my reach. Some may say I’m past my ‘best-before’ date, but I decided otherwise—and a whole new world of possibilities has opened up.

BY: LEAH LUECK

It was a few years ago that I attended a conference where one sentence from the speaker put a whole new spin on life for me. I was nearing my 50’s and was at a point where life had become rather humdrum.

That day, conveying the gist of an article he had read, the speaker said: “People are most productive in their 60’s, followed by those in their 70’s and then by those in their 50’s.” That made me sit-up and tune-in...or actually, tune-out...as my mind started to wonder: “Really?”—followed by: “What if? What if that is really true?”

You see, I grew up in the era of being taught to grow-up fast, get a good education, get a good job, and retire happy. As I often say: “I bought and drank that Kool-Aid.”

Although I have enjoyed a successful career in the Information Technology sector, it’s not what I pictured doing all my life. That, along with all the disappointments life threw at me, I woke-up 25 years down the road, thinking to myself: “Who am I?” and “How did I get here?” Years passed in what seemed to be the blink of an eye— and I felt as though I lost myself along the way.

So, the speaker’s words became music to my ears. Could it be that I could still do something with my life that aligned more with the dreams and goals I had as an optimistic teenager leaving high school?

Though it lit a spark of hope, I have to admit, I still felt a sense of doubt, as the “You’re too old—it’s too late”

thoughts echoed in my head. “If you haven’t done it to this point, what makes you think you will do it now?” I responded to myself, “My inner-drive and zeal— that’s how! My experiences gained from decades of life’s ups and downs are invaluable! My past is someone else’s future. I have lots to offer!”

As I thought more about reasons why people were productive later in life, my first thought was this: when many people retire, they experience greater freedoms (inner and outer)—to be more creative and pursue long-held dreams and aspirations.

Additionally, as women—especially as wives and mothers—we often put ourselves on the back-burner while tending to the needs of others. When our families finally demand less of our time, it allows for the confinement of our personal aspirations to be removed, so they can be inflated once again.

Also, I believe another factor contributing to later-in-life productivity is this: we finally get to the point where we really don’t care what others think about us! We’re secure in ourselves.

After my inner shift, I began to feel like I had a new lease on my life—and I was going to make the most of it! I felt inspired, energized, and newly invigorated to pursue my long-held dreams and desires.

Since that revelation, I started to upgrade my mindset to the belief that my best years are still ahead of me.

I relish stories of people—who, older than me—are making a difference in the world while pursuing their dreams and goals.

I often come across articles like “Changing Channels” from the June 2019 edition of the Washington Post which featured the stories of eight women reinventing themselves after age 50. Suzanne Watson entered medical school in her fifties after raising her four children as a single mother. Ginny Donohue left corporate life in her 50’s to start a nonprofit. Patricia Forehand started doing stand-up comedy after a 32-year teaching career. Ernestine Shepherd, at the age of 71, started training to become a bodybuilder—and in her first competition for novice competitors of any age— won first place!

Stories like these, and the other women featured in the article, all support the truth that there are opportunities for us to reawaken the dreams that we may have put on the backburner—or up to now—have not been confident enough to pursue.

Now in my 50’s, entering the entrepreneur world, I am meeting more and more women who are stepping-up and stepping-out to pursue their dreams. I truly believe we are in an era of “The Woman”—and we will see societies transformed as we take our stand.

So I wonder: is there something you have thought about doing but haven’t done yet? Maybe because you are not as “young and spry” as you once were? Or, perhaps, it feels more like you need “permission” to finally focus on you - to invest in yourself, your dreams, and desires. If your “what if” is waiting...now is the time to answer your inner call!

Your time is now! As women, it is our time! As the saying goes: “There is no time like the present”—so act NOW!

Connect with Leah at: http://leahlueck. com