Do Your Goals Come With an Expiration Date?

I remember hearing one of Paul Harvey's famous "Rest of the Story" broadcasts years ago. I was working in the forest at the time. His report was related to how Harlan Sanders took his first social security check and started a new business at 66 years of age. I've listed a few similar stories below.

*Harlan Sanders (Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame) was 66 when he began to promote his style of fried chicken that led to his fortune.

*Julia Child was almost 40 before she even learned how to cook. She enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu at age 37 and graduated at age 39. Her book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, was finally published after nine years of research and recipe testing. This happened when she was 49 and she launched her television career at age 51.

*Laura Ingalls Wilder began writing as a columnist in her 40’s. Her popular Little House books weren't written when she was a child at all. They were written and published when she was in her 60's.

*Anna Mary Robertson Moses (Grandma Moses) was one of the biggest names in American Folk Art and she didn’t start painting until she was 76. At age 88, Mademoiselle Magazine named Grandma Moses a “Young Woman of the Year.” Moses had developed arthritis by the age of 76, which made her hobby of embroidery painful. Her sister, Celestia, felt that painting would be easier for her, which led to her successful painting career.

*Nelson Mandela was almost 76 when he was elected president of South Africa. He spent 27 years in prison and was released in 1990. Four years later, he was president.

A very successful author/columnist friend posted an exciting message on his Facebook page a few years back.....Are you familiar with the book, "Christmas Jars" by Jason F. Wright? Jason's post read, "When I was a child my parents arranged a visit to the large office building in Salt Lake City where my favorite magazine was printed. It's called The Friend and I camped by our mailbox in Charlottesville, Virginia for my monthly copy. I was so excited that my mother knew someone who could give us a behind-the-scenes tour.For a boy who dreamt of being a writer, it was as close to heaven as I could imagine. I hoped and prayed that one day I'd have a story on those colorful, faith-filled pages.
When I received the April 2016 edition (after more than 30 years), I finally had a story in my favorite magazine. It's so corny, I know, but I nearly jumped up and down when I saw it. (OK, you got me. I did jump a few times. Maybe six.) Sure, I'd been told it was coming a few months ago, but seeing this childhood dream in full color was truly something special.

I've sold a few books, made a few bestsellers lists, met some amazing people and found some awesome friends and readers. But this was my very first goal
as a writer, and call me an old softie, but nothing could be sweeter."
***editorial note - Last year his book "Christmas Jars", was release as a very successful feature-length movie! Remember what you wanted to be when you were a kid? 10, 20, 50 years ago?

The only person who thinks it's too late is probably you.

Go Do It !
Dreams only have an expiration date if you allow them to go stale. Our goals and dreams do not come with any expiration date, except for ones we place on them. History is filled with examples of those who failed to follow their dreams, along with many Champions who, even through the passage of time, still pursue their goals!

I believe in you! And if I'm the only one, that's a start!