Breaking the Age Barrier

I met a wonderful lady this past week who really inspired me. She seemed to be one of those sweet, tiny, gray-headed, ladies who sings in her church choir and keeps her cupboards stocked full of ingredients for healthy meals she likes to make for people under the weather. I would bet she makes a perfect apple pie or blackberry cobbler, but would be full after eating more than one or two bites herself. She was proud of her children and grandchildren who proved to be upstanding members of society. She was lovely and at a healthy weight. She emitted inner peace that comes with a life well-lived. It was obvious that she had learned which things in life were really important and which things to let go. 

 

She looked as if she had been dainty all her life. I watched her portion healthy foods to her plate then sit down to savor them. I was surprised to learn that this little lady used to be a hundred pounds overweight. She was obese during most of her adult life and decided about fifteen years ago that she was ready to lose weight. She changed her eating and cooking habits. She began moderate exercising. She lost her excess weight and kept it off by applying good nutrition principles to her lifestyle and forming new habits. Eating is effortless for her now. 

 

Lots of people have weight success stories, and I’m inspired each time I hear one. Her story was different though. I was especially encouraged because of WHEN she accomplished her goal. She did not let age hinder her from something she wanted. She had grandchildren before she decided her weight would and should come off. I believe that sometimes we find ourselves in an age-cage that prevents our desires from coming into fruition. It is never too late! Every obstacle we build around ourself is really an imaginary one. The age barrier is no different. I know it is easy to hold on to past regrets and feel as though a portion of our life was wasted somehow. We tend to exalt time in our life when really it is just a tool we use in our world. What matters now is now. Life doesn’t end at 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90. It’s never too late to start living. 

 

This lady defied the age barrier. She had lived a good life. Her children were gone and raising children of her own. They would be retiring in state across the country.   She recognized that life was just beginning. She put all the past behind her including the weight she carried around for decades, and made a new life for herself. That Is Impressive! 

 

I wonder….what would I do if I didn’t’ know how old I am? What would I do if I forgot about things that happened and choices I made in the past? What would you do? It's not to late to start living today to get the life we always wanted.