Nothing can stop you – no matter how old you are

How many times have you awakened in the morning and wondered what happened with the past six or seven decades? Or have you looked into the mirror and felt it was unfair that life passed you by without giving you a chance to pursue the career you always wanted? As much as some people look forward to retirement, what if you don’t have the income to maintain the lifestyle you have grown accustomed to? Then there is the backdoor threat of Alzheimer’s. You may wonder how you are going to stay alert and focused when your days may only be filled with volunteer community work or gardening.

I am one of those weird people who would rather work than play. If I don’t have any pressing jobs to accomplish, I create one. The few times I have focused on leisure instead of work, I got bored quickly. As the years were fleeting by and I remained in great health, I could not imagine living without an on-going purpose or fulfilling a dream during my ‘golden’ years.

Choosing to be a victor instead of a victim

My life was not an easy one. In fact, I endured more problems than most people would be able to handle. The more negatives life threw at me, the stronger and hopefully, wiser, I became. But what good is that wisdom if I couldn’t put it to good use?

When my daughter was a teenager she started a crusade to encourage me to write my memoir. It started as a campaign and over the course of ten years, she made it a threat. She had heard all my excuses and was not going to tolerate them any longer. “Write your story or else!” I never asked her what the ‘or else’ was nor do I want to know. Finally, to make her be quiet I began the journey of writing my story.

I never would have believed it could be so difficult but it was also a driving force as the more I wrote the more I realized I had a message the world needed to hear. It was a message of never, ever giving up – no matter what happens.

Stepping WAY out of my comfort zone

My husband and I were in our sixties when we opened three high-end jewelry stores. Shortly thereafter, my husband was in a serious car accident which left him disabled. We found ourselves thrown into a situation that did not allow us to quit our jobs, or sell our businesses. We had to keep going. We weren’t given a choice.

When I was in my twenties, I became a certified health coach after I was told I only had two years to live due to cancer. I refused the normal invasive treatments and opted to cure myself with nutrition and food supplements. After complete restoration, I promised myself I would help people with their health issues until the day I die.

Where was I going to find the time to write a book and maintain my brick and mortar jobs? I wrote late in the evenings; and after ten years triggered by painful memories, I was ready to launch my book.

I was 65 years old and had no idea my life was about to start over with a new career. I hired a publisher to promote the new book which was a short-lived relationship. Fortunately, I discovered early on that they were keeping my royalties and firing them was the easy part. However, I was thrown into the world of social media which I knew next to nothing about.

I took every available course I could find on marketing and promoting a memoir and my book sales began to soar. Numerous opportunities to share my story as a keynote speaker meant I was on the road at least one week a month.

The new normal

Obviously, I wasn’t busy enough because I had a brainstorm for my next project. I decided to start a podcast where I would interview ordinary people who overcame extraordinary circumstances and became successful as a result. In the first hour after posting my idea on the internet, I had over 100 requests to be on my show. What show? I had to work swiftly to train myself how to podcast, how to edit and how to promote my show. That was two years ago and I am now heard in over 120 countries with unending daily requests to be part of the show.

When I look in the mirror I may see an old woman, but I also see one who can encourage anyone who wants more than what retirement may have to offer, when they come to a mature time of life.

I wanted to fulfil the dream of being an author, an international speaker and a talk show host. At 65 these seemed like pipe dreams but I am now living them and looking forward to the next challenge. As owner and operator of two jewelry stores, my health coaching business, traveling as a speaker, hosting and managing my talk show, writing for numerous magazines and anthologies, having my own monthly column in two magazines, being bookkeeper for all the businesses, taking care of a disabled husband and rescuing dogs (over 30 to date) where will I ever get the time to do more? Yet, I know I will find that time.

Nothing is stopping you

We all have the ability and the right to choose what we do with our retirement years. My choice was to start over – doing what I wanted to do and helping so many others be encouraged and challenged to never ever give up hope.

Never limit yourself by making excuses why you cannot do what you always wanted to do. Find a way. Set your goals. You will never regret it. It will sustain your youth. You have much to offer – start giving it away.

17 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing my article. I hope it is encouraging to those who want to start a new career at any age.

  2. Well now don’t I just feel like a loser….I retired last year and really would like to work…but I want to do something I love now at this age…I do love writing on my blog..but I’m not earning any money from that, the last several jobs I’ve had let me go…well not just me…everyone…so I am trying….just not having any luck…

  3. In response to Renee: There are many websites that teach you how to earn money on your blog. I looked at it and it is awesome. Reading some of your blog posts, I think you should write a book.

  4. Wow! That is so inspiring. It takes a lot of guts to venture into something new, especially a new career. Hats off to you.

  5. Rachna: So glad you found this inspiring. I’ve done a lot of crazy things in my life so ‘guts’ I got!!

  6. This article was very inspiring even for this 75 year old! I have ventured out these last few years and tried several things that I had never done before such as being the bookkeeper for a small business but I believe there is more that I can do! Thanks, Carol

  7. Response to Dee McKain: I am thrilled to have inspired you at 75 years old and so glad to hear you have ventured out and tried new things. You will stay young for many years to come! Thank you for commenting.

  8. Kathleen Pooler

    May 23, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    Carol, you have an amazing story of being a shining example of resilience and persistence in the face of incredible odds. Your message of hope is resonating far and wide and I am very grateful our paths have crossed. A very inspiring article I will share. Thanks!

  9. Delores Liesner

    May 23, 2017 at 5:47 pm

    Carol, I love to read of your adventures. Whether we have the projected (to me laughable) amount of thousands of dollars of extra money to retire or not, retirement is an adventure!

    Though I had no health scare as you did, I started preparing for retirement a few years before, getting my health in the best shape I could. I did not want to face a bowl of prescriptions every day as some of my retired relatives and friends did.

    Like you, I believe God can and will use a willing heart, and that assurance of God’s leading is to me also the greatest form of success.

    Thanks for the inspiration!
    Delores

  10. Traci Lawrence

    May 23, 2017 at 7:44 pm

    Great article! What an example you are to people of any age who have told themselves they can’t fulfill their dreams! I get it; no excuses! That’s how I’ve had to live my life, too!

  11. Response to Kathleen Pooler: Thank you for your kind words and also for sharing this article and magazine.

  12. Response to Delores Liesner: A bowl of prescriptions — interesting expression. Yes, I am thankful I do not need one prescription at my age and I know keeping active plays a big part in that.

  13. Response to Traci Lawrence: Excuses are a form of procrastination — just DO IT!

  14. No grass growing under your feet! Love to watch your family adventures,as well as being a part of them once in awhile. You always have a great outlook on things and I love your inspiration to always get ur done.

  15. Vishal Bheeroo

    June 2, 2017 at 6:33 am

    It’s such an inspiring post Carol reading about your struggles when life pushed you the hardest. Thanks for reminding me every second that there is no time to pursue dreams.

  16. Response to Marianne: You are such a good friend and you inspire me often! Thank you

  17. Response to Vishal: You have a wonderful attitude and yes, always pursue your dreams!

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