“If there is still time on the clock, there is still time to win”—Unknown.
I saw that a 105-year-old man recently rode 14 miles in one hour for a world record. I have mentioned before a 94-year-old breaking the world-record with a bench press of 206 lb. The list goes on. And this list underscores one fact about life—victory goes to him (her) who outlasts his opponents. This was a lesson that I also learned in my experience as a wrestler. We can accomplish much by simply enduring.
I joke with my students that students that a goal of mine is to go back to each of my high school reunions in proportionally better shape than my peers. My classmates make it challenging, but the law of averages are in my favor. As I tell the students, all I have to do is maintain a reasonable level of fitness. Over time, most will become increasing less active and, thus, in poorer condition. I have mused that by the 50-year reunion, the women will be recalling what a great athlete I was in high school. (I was slightly above average at best.) These recent record-breakers give me added hope of great athletic feats when I near 100. I just have to “maintain”. Anything is possible!
I have seen the above quote several times. I find it encouraging. For those of us who might feel that our lives have been “on the successful side of mediocre”, there is always opportunity to do something more significant with our lives. If we are not satisfied with what we have or have not accomplished, there is still “time on the clock” as long as we have the health and a pulse to do. “It is too late” or “I am too old” are poor excuses. History is full of people who have done significant things in the twilight of their years. I found this nice piece about “25 People Who Did Great Things After 50” (http://www.ranker.com/list/accomplishments-after-50/matthewcoleweiss). It is a pretty amazing list—especially considering that most of the persons listed were over 60 and many were fast approaching the century mark.
Don’t let age limit you. If you have a goal, GO FOR IT. Carpe momento—even if the moment come rather late in life. Your time is not over as long as there is time on the clock.
“To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent – that is to triumph over old age.”—Thomas Bailey Aldrich