Great Wall of China Marathons…We All Face Them!


Over 50?  Are we still allowed to dream?  I recently heard a woman say, “I wish I had
pursued my dreams, but now at 56, it’s too late to even try!”

My daughter, Jessica and her husband, Russell

I was pondering her statement when
my daughter’s pictures from running the Great Wall of China Marathon came in to
my email.   It looked tough and
mesmerizing all at the same time.  She is
living her dreams of seeing the world and experiencing life to its
fullest! 

 The hardest challenges are just
an invitation to really live a larger than normal life.  Too often, I fear, we choose the small life,
because the great wall just seems too big to conquer.

It’s necessary to rest along the way when tackling a HUGE challenge!

I watched Jess and her husband,
Russ, tackle the steep inclines and the endless rows of stairs….by merely
fixating on their tiny bodies against the wall made me realize how small my
challenges really are and it is way past time to take them on. 

I disagree with the woman who made
the opening statement.  I may be coming
to the game late, but at almost 59, I am going to face the great wall and,
hopefully, prove her wrong. I think within these challenges some anti-ageing secrets, as well as, joy can be discovered!  I am not
giving details about my personal dreams on purpose…but when I reach the top, I will let you know!!  I have a huge stairway to climb first before I
believe I can set my course. But, it’s past time
to start the climb.

A Few Ideas About Dreams   By Chuck Swindoll

·        
Dreams are specific, not general
·        
Dreams are personal, not public. God doesn’t
give anyone else my dreams on a public computer screen for others to read.  He gives them to me personally.  They’re intimate images and ideas.
·        
Dreams can easily appear to others as extreme
and illogical.  If you share your dreams
with the crowd, they’ll probably laugh at you because you can’t make logical
sense out of them.
·        
Dreams are often accompanied by a strong desire
to fulfill them.
·        
Dreams are always outside of the realm of the
expected.  Sometimes they’re downright
shocking.
·        
A common response when you share a dream is, “You’ve
gotta be kidding!  Are you serious?”


Keep Dreaming!!!
Happy Tuesday, everyone!!

20 Comments

  1. A thought provoking post Pam…I think we must never stop pursuing our dreams whatever our age…I'll keep dreaming and a very Happy Tuesday to you too 😉
    Catherine
    xx

  2. Pam – what an inspirational post. I so enjoy having my morning cup of coffee and reading your blog.

    Have a great day!

  3. Inspiring! My 105 year old neighbor still focuses on making new friends, learning new things and having goals. It is never too late unless you don't start.

  4. It's NEVER too late to pursue our dreams (unless of course your dream is to be a pre-pubescent champion gymnast). But pretty much everything else is up for grabs. 🙂 Great post, Pam, and congratulations to the kids for that amazing journey and feat of stamina and determination.

  5. I'm 52 and just now starting up my screen printing business. It's a little sad just because I wish I'd started it earlier because I'm loving it so much. But, at least I found my niche and purpose with my art. I know what kept me from getting here is simple and plain resistance. We use resistant to avoid growth all the time. All it takes is baby steps to get started. Nice post Patti!

  6. Fantastic photos!
    I've never considered age a roadblock to realizing my dreams, but I sure have noticed that my health can slow me down. Even that can be overcome, but it does take more time and effort. Two things I've noticed about finally taking a step toward something you really want but have been afraid to try: once you start, you just can't believe it took you so long to try it, and, be very careful who you share your plans with, because most people will try to talk you out of it.

  7. Dreams are private, BUT it's good to share them. You don't have to broadcast them to the world, but sharing them ups your commitment and motivation to fufill them.

    While it may invite people to make fun of them it also generates other people's experience/knowledge, which can be helpful in your efforts.

  8. Hello,

    I enjoy your blog and your vitality. I believe that dreams should be pursued at any age; hence my pursuit of ballroom competition and my Master's degree…I just completed my first semester at age 50. It is never to late.

  9. i once read an article about a woman that went to med school at age 50
    when asked why she would do that at her age, she replied i will either turn 60 as a doctor or as a person that still wished she were a doctor!
    words to live by
    brett

  10. I graduated college at age 46. It was an accomplishment of which I am very proud. It was hard to start at age 40 and try to get through it, but I knew that regardless it was an accomplishment no one could take from me. It really is true that you will be what ever age you are no matter whether you do what you dream or not. Why not do what you dream of?
    Your daughter really accomplished something amazing.

  11. Thank you…this is a great post! I'm hoping to go back to school this fall and I'm terrified. What a fantastic thing for your daughter to do!

  12. I appreciate your intention to keep your plan secret. I have always found the more I talk about doing something the less likely I am to do it. Part of the internalizing process. I love your posts about San Antonio locations. Have you ever done a post on the Arts and Crafts Center located at the old Ursuline Academy? I saw the old place when it was in its decline and would love to see what the city has done with it.

  13. What an inspiration your daughter is! I suspect we all may have public dreams and private one. I'm pondering Swindoll's words (I respect his opinion). Sometimes, I thinking voicing our dreams DOES help them come true. How can others help if we don't know what the dream may be.

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