Tip#104: It’s Never Too Late - Space Cowboys

Real life heroes...

Some people believe they're too old to make significant changes in their life or career. They think that age dictates what they can or cannot do. The truth is that it is never too late.

Some individuals I come across in my workshops feel they're too old to follow their passions. I just smile and assure them it is never too late to do what you dream of doing or to transform limiting mindsets. All you have to do is look around to see examples of real-life heroes who have proven that there is always time for a positive life change.

For example in May 2007 a 95-year-old woman became the world's oldest college graduate. Nola Ochs, who began taking college classes for more than 30 years at the University in Kansas, graduated with a degree in history. After graduation, she planned "to seek employment on a cruise ship, going around the world as a storyteller."

Also in May 2007 a 69-year-old climber reached Mt. Everest peak. Werner Berger, of Newmarket Ontario, realized his dream and became the oldest North American to scale seven summits. Part of Berger's secret is he kept visualizing himself on the top of the world — and soon it was reality.

Another inspiring example is astronaut John Glenn who, in 1998 and at the age 77, became the oldest living person to fly into space aboard the space shuttle Discovery. This inspired the script for Clint Eastwood's movie, Space Cowboys.

In Space Cowboysfour hotshot test pilots from 1958 are given the chance to fly a space shuttle 40 years later. The film shows the challenges they face with others judging them for their age and their physical limitations in their 60's and 70's. But their passion prevails and they gain the respect from their younger colleagues through their actions of courage, integrity and perseverance.

Other motivating movies...

Rocky Balboa
Sylvester Stallone wrote, starred and directed this powerful finale to the Rocky series. The movie addresses the many issues that come up about aging and following one's heart. In the end Rocky follows his dream in his late 50's by not focusing on how things looked to other people.

Live Free or Die Hard
Bruce Willis proves that his action star skills are alive and well in this fourth film in the Die Hardmovie series. Though over 20 years since the original movie, Willis's character demonstrates inspiring resilience both physically and mentally.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
As of this writing Harrison Ford is currently filming the fourth chapter in the Indiana Jonesmovie series. When the film is released in 2008 it will be 27 years since the first movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark. I'm sure that Ford and his enduring character will inspire everyone that it is never too late to be a motivating action figure.

Finally...

Finally, there is one other hero that inspires me and that is my dad. My dad, at the age of 65, was a recently retired architect. And yet his passion for working and helping others fueled him to train himself in the computer field and apply for a new profession. My dad passed away unexpectedly just after one interview. The irony is that my mom received a call the day before my dad's funeral that he had got the job.

My dad never thought it was never too late to do anything.

So remember that if your passion within you is yearning to be released then do something about it. Let real life heroes and movie heroes inspire you to achieve your goals at any time and at any age. Let these heroes help you visualize where you want to be and what you want to be doing.

Remember your passion is your fuel. Be the action hero of your own life and grab hold of your dreams! There's no time like the present.

Emmanuel Lopez
Silverlining Specialist & Motivational Wingman
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2007