In a culture that runs from age as though it were an out of control monster, you may think my question is strange, Your response might be, “No, I am not glad I am old enough!. I don’t want to be old enough! Why, what am I old enough for?”
There was a time when we couldn’t wait turn 16, 18, or better yet, 21. But now, break out the Botox because we find ourselves wanting nothing to do with our age. However, I appreciated a recent essay by Bob Brody regarding his age.
He vividly recalls being new at the job and hanging on his colleagues every instruction. He took plenty of notes, worried about not performing up to expectations, and, as he said, “lived in a state of low-grade paranoia.” However, at age 53 he finds himself to be one of the older individuals in his company. And interestingly enough, he finds that when he shares an observation or thought – his colleagues are taking notes and his clients assume that he knows something.
You see, as we season (get older) we get a new opportunity to make a difference that we could not have when we were younger – if we are willing to embrace it. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity today – now that you are finally old enough!