Formula 46

You Are Never Too Old!
Photo Credit: Vladimir Soares

Society bestows upon us an unsolicited timeline of when it’s too late to accomplish our goals or too late to consider them. She is reminiscent of an overbearing, narcissistic parent who always knows what’s “best,” even though what’s best is usually self-serving, and often results in defeatist behavior. If we’ve not yet met societal standards by a certain age, we are made to feel that we’ve failed even though failure (much like success), is completely relative and thus, can only be truly defined by our own terms?

Allow me to guess.. You believe that you are too old and that it’s far too late? Ok…. It’s time to make the math start “mathing” here! I am currently 46. If I live to 84 which is very possible, but…… I decide to cave into the idea now, that I’m too old and that it’s too late, that would amount to THIRTY EIGHT *future* years that I’d be willfully willing to squander away? I would literally volunteer to discard nearly 4 decades of my life under society’s belief that I’ve somehow missed the boat. Well absolutely not! F*** that, f*** society and f*** anyone who has ever told us that we’re too old and thus, too late to the “party.” I’d argue instead, that “life’s party” actually doesn’t begin until I’ve kicked the doors open, stepped inside and pranced awkardly all over the dancefloor! 

That said, it’s definitely not too late. Using myself as an example, the timing of Formula 46 could not be better. 46 years on this Earth have left me with countless battle scars and with life’s pleasures, respectively. The result? A more balanced, able and a more ready me. Reflecting, the younger me wanted so many things in life, yet many of those past yearnings just aren’t relevant, applicable, nor desirable today. This deviation from a once seemingly aligned course, lets me know that I am entering the next chapter of my life at the right moment, during the perfect timing and most importantly, on my own terms.  

So, what’s your Formula 46 – what does your X+Y amount to? As long as the equation consists of your calculations and not that of society’s, the “numbers” are likely to add up perfectly, each. and. every. time (so I have come to learn). Now… let’s go rock life’s algebra course together! 

SIDE NOTE: Formula 46 was initially titled Formula 42. You see, I wrote this article 4 years ago but was too afraid then, to publicize it. Even though the timing today feels right, it doesn’t negate the fact that I willfully wasted 4 precious future years. Someone needed this message years ago but I allowed fear and self-doubt to intercept that process. But no more! Having switched careers at the age of 43 and going from a lucrative salary to less than minimum wage with ZERO regrets, I am proof that it’s not too late to start anew and that “old” is simply a mindset. So, the very next time that you feel you’re too old for XYZ, declare instead that you are in fact marinated to perfection and are now ripe for life’s picking!

Thank You For Taking A Moment To “Dance” With Me