In this intriguing episode of Lessons From Living, we delve into the transformative journey of starting over at any stage in life. Join me as I share noteworthy stories from my own experiences and those of others who have embraced change, overcome challenges, and found new beginnings. Discover practical insights and motivational tips that will encourage you to take that leap, regardless of your age. Tune in and learn how to navigate the uncertainties of starting fresh with confidence and resilience!

Do you feel like it's time for a change, but for some reason, wonder whether you should be starting over at this point in your life? This episode is for you. So let's dig in. Welcome to Lessons from Living. I am your host, Beth Graham.

My allergies are on overdrive this morning. I probably don't sound like I usually do. My eyes are watering. So forgive me. Nashville is the allergy capital here, I believe. And this time of year is really a challenge. But I'm really glad you're with me.

I often find hesitancy to make a change is related to age.And we'll hit that aspect in a moment. But there's also a possibility that you feel constrained by limitations in your training or education or even by the station you have achieved in life. You don't want to go backwards. And I get that. Let's not start by focusing on limitations. Let's begin by assuming anything is possible.

because truly that is the case.

Now, for those of you who attach this hesitancy to age, stop it. I spent 30-something years having babies, homeschooling those babies, and fostering other babies. In my early 50s, I went from focusing entirely on my family to becoming a podcaster. Who does that? I mean, it sounds nutty to me sitting here, even saying the words. And I'm the one who experienced it in the flesh. And my example seems really silly next to others I can mention. It's obviously just the one I'm closest to.

I know I've talked about Grandma Moses on the pod previously, who began her painting career at 78. Colonel Harlan Sanders is another one, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken. He was 65 when he began franchising his fried chicken recipe. That was after working odd jobs and failing numerous times before becoming a household name.

Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author of the Little House and the Prairie series, which are very popular in this household, was 65 when she published her first book.

And here's a more recent example: the author of Theo of Golden, Alan Levi, was 69 when he published his first book, which has quickly become a bestseller. And this is an aside, but it's a great book, a really great book. I'm going to find a way to get Mr. Levi on the program. So if anyone knows him, let him know he belongs on Lessons from Living.

We've had plenty of examples featured on this very podcast: John Morris decided at 37 to change careers radically to become a doctor. Can you imagine starting medical school at 37? Due to a health crisis, Dennis Mellon was forced to leave a job he adored to do something entirely new at 56. And Chris Marquardt changed geographical location later in life, at the same time ditching a corporate job, he loathed to develop a passion teaching veterans how to keep bees. I'm interviewing a woman this week, actually, Ally Phillips, who took a radical turn in her 60s and is now an influencer in her 70s. Watch for that interview. It's going to be super fun. I meet the coolest people, as you know.

There are all kinds of examples of people changing lanes, becoming successful, making a difference, changing the world late in life. And you know what? The older I get, the more I tend to think, what the heck? Why not? When do plan on doing it, If not now? It's almost like it becomes easier for me to know the runway is becoming shorter, and there's no time like the present. You need to jump on it.

And you younger people, maybe you don't feel the pressure of a shortening life yet, but be aware that it is happening even as you sit there and make a decision by being indecisive--because that's what you're doing. You're opting to stay comfortable, be complacent, accepting something less than what is your ultimate best use. And I know the idea of delving into more training, more education at this stage of your life is not

appealing. I did it. I went to seminary in my 50s. I went to Israel with a bus full of teens and 20s and there was Mama Bee hanging with the young folk. It was a blast. You can do it. Every day that you wait, you're setting your future further down the road. I decided to enter seminary when I was finishing up chemotherapy for breast cancer and it took me a

long time, six or seven years, because I still had children at home and Lots going on. But I thought to myself I can sit here fighting cancer and do nothing or I can use this time to further my future and hopefully make a Difference for others. So that's what I opted to do.

There's nothing comfortable about starting something new, especially if it's radically different from anything you've done before. I've said this before on this program: that I feel like I live outside of my comfort zone. The work I do every day is uncomfortable for me. I don't enjoy talking in public. I don't enjoy sharing my life. I'm actually a very private person, believe it or not. Technology makes my head hurt. It's such a challenge for me. Every day I do something I fear or doubt I have the capacity for. You may be feeling like that, that you have doubts or fears about the thing that you're considering. Go back to Colonel Sanders. Let's think about this. Can you imagine having failed at everything to think, I'm going to try this new venture at 65. Do you think he had fears or doubts? He had a history of failing. That was his record. He had every reason to doubt his ability.

The bottom line is you have to walk in fear. Moving from something comfortable and familiar to something unknown is scary. There's really no way around that. You just have to walk through it. So let's think about this. Let's think about some actionable steps you can take to get going. First,

Take some time for self-reflection to assess your current situation and your desire for change. Maybe you're not uncomfortable enough yet in your current situation to spur you into something else. But if you know you're ready to make a change, don't languish in your current place in life. Don't be sitting in purgatory. Get off the fence and figure out how to move forward.

This will involve setting some goals, defining first steps, prioritizing action, and then taking action. And it always helps to have encouraging and positive influences around you. So consider what you're hearing from the people you're sharing your aspirations with. If it isn't positive and uplifting, take the time to build a support system that is positive. Find those people. Because as we've said, this is not going to be easy. And the last thing you need is the people surrounding you to be dogging your every action.

Speaking about positivity, taking on something new at any age really might require a mindset shift. You know how I was talking about how this work is uncomfortable for me. I spent a lot of my life playing it safe, being okay with the way things were. But at some point I started thinking about challenges, hard things, as being an opportunity for growth. And if you can shift from thinking this is hard to I am growing. This is what is required for growth. This process becomes much more palatable.

Another way to make the process palatable and even fun is to be sure to celebrate your wins no matter how small. I'm the type of person that puts my head down, starts working and doesn't take a breath much less.

Take time to acknowledge all of the good things that are happening. My friend Roi, who helps me with a lot of tasks related to this podcast, is good at reminding me that good things have happened. I was telling him recently that I have so many people asking to come on the show now. It's almost hard to keep up with. It's another challenge in itself. And he said, “You know, a year ago, that was one of your biggest obstacles. This is a good problem to have.” And he's right. And I probably wouldn't have even seen that for myself without a Roi. So if you tend to be like me, encourage some of your encouragers to point winds out to you as you're journeying so that you don't miss them.

Well, you know me, I always look to my faith for inspiration when I'm thinking about trying something new and you know the inspiration is always there. Actually, so many spiritual traditions emphasize the themes of renewal and transformation. Do you know that Buddhism talks about the concept of impermanence, that everything in life is continuously evolving? And we are wise to embrace change as humans because it is so intrinsic to our lives.

But here's a great Christian reference. I love Isaiah 43, 19 that says, “See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isn't that great? God brings about new beginnings all the time, so that's a good place to start, right? It's never too late to start over and embrace something new. This is your one life on this earth. Mary Oliver asks us, " Tell me.

What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” I can't wait to hear from you about what you plan to do. So please share your stories and perspectives on starting over. You can catch me at Beth at LessonsFromLiving.net or on Instagram at LessonsFromLivingPodcast. And I believe Facebook is the same. So hop on there and tell me what's going on in your life. I would love to hear from you and I look forward to it.

We've got Brene Brown on tap this morning. She says, can choose comfort or you can choose courage. You cannot have both. I love you guys. Go out and make it a great day.