For today’s square photo, these seeds tumbled my way one day while writing in the yard.
Recently, I was on a walk and saw these tall trees. The one standing high above the rest reminded “me” to stand tall and strong.
Isn’t it cool how so much growth comes from one small, starter seed?
Let us all remember that what we do “to keep our life alive” starts with seed planting. The sum of many parts and the little things add up.
Also….
It is not too late to start tackling that dream you always had. It is not too late to start that hobby you maybe just mused over. Or maybe it is time to start playing that instrument you only thought about playing in grade school – you know – where maybe you felt like you already missed the boat by the time you made it to high school? sigh Or maybe you need to turn that hobby into a small business. Maybe it is time.
Consider the Colonel Sanders story:
Did you know that Colonel Sanders was 65 when he started KFC? He had passion, grit, and a serious need for money. He had an idea that combined with years of seasoning – to all come together as he hit the pavement and went town to town pitching his idea about fried chicken. This was long before the crappy and dangerous canola and vegetable oils hit the market, but Colonel Sanders took years of living to get moving on an idea and help his retirement. Stop feeling like you missed the boat (if you feel that way) and maybe start thinking about something that can enrich your life – something unique for you. It might not be a business – but think about some seeds you can plant to make 2021 have growth that helps you thrive.
More of the Sanders story:
“At the age of 65, Colonel Harland Sanders was facing a crisis. Like many older adults today, he was looking at an uncertain future. His restaurant had failed and he was left only with his savings and the prospect of a $105 monthly Social Security check.”
Regardless of the number of times that Colonel Sanders was rejected, Colonel Sanders story should give all of us hope.” Source
Now okay, it might be too late for some dreams and goals – because life circumstances dictate realistic limits – but you get the message here, right? We all have small and large “great works” that make up our life’s essence. Some folks feel old at 30, some feel limited at 40 – and some just do not realize their energy and current potential.
Let us remember how Satchel Paige talked about age: “Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” I also think of this “age topic” because recently TobyMac (A Christian hip-hop kind of singer) made an album that is one of my favorite albums. And I got to thinking – what if TobyMac said he was too old to make that kind of music? What if he let “agism” stain his thoughts and actions? What if he let faulty perceptions of being “too old” creep in and make him start doing something he thought he needed to do because of age. Instead, my friends, TobyMac stayed doing what he does so well – his style of music (that I dd not really like with the earlier stuff) but he stayed doing what he does — and it led to some of his greatest works (IMO).
Does this inspire you even a little to keep in mind that you have some “great work” to still do? Maybe not starting a business – or making an album — maybe nothing too grand — but truly great! You are not done yet and things will unfold when you stay doing what you do?
So keep on keeping on… 🙂
Closing TobyMac song:
..
.
.
.
.
planting seeds – small beginnings lead to so much 🙂
LikeLiked by 5 people
And perhaps this goes into the category of “need to be reminded” of again and again
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love that tree jutting out so much higher than the rest.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks – it is so weird like that – eh? And made me stand up a bit
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is.
LikeLike
Great post! You are never too old, planting seeds whether they are big are small is what we all need to focus on for our future! 🤠👍❤️
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks so much for chiming in with that! Well said
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I needed that. 🙂
janet
LikeLiked by 4 people
What a cool comment Janet (and okay – another thing that makes me think if you is TobyMac – my list grows)) lol
LikeLike
🙂 Just heard one of his songs today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Please do tell Which one. And that “elements” album was special
To me in 2019 and a little
In 2029
LikeLike
“Everything.” A couple of my favorites are “Move (Keep Walkin’)” and “Love Broke Through”, but I like pretty much all of his. My other favorite singer/group is Casting Crowns. They have great lyrics and wonderful harmony.
LikeLike
English proverb: “From Little Acorns Mighty Oaks Grow”…and no never say never …
LikeLiked by 4 people
Carol! Thanks for that njce quote – it added a nice touch
Also – reminds me of the saying about how the best time to plant an oak tree was 30 years – and second best time is now – it go and share with the one who planted back then – something like that 🌳🌳🌳
LikeLike
You are welcome, Yvette..so many great quotes Have a lovely day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, from little things big things grow. Everything starts from an idea. Wonderful post and great message.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Ah Miriam – you are so right about the idea – and that first step – etc
😊☀️☀️
LikeLiked by 1 person
great post Yvette. We need to plant seeds and in honor of i planted my winter garden! We need seeds of hope more than ever before!!! ❤️
LikeLiked by 4 people
Oh Cindy – what a good idea with the winter garden !
I just saw one of our trees have little buds and it reminded spring will be here before we know it – although I am embracing winter too because I do love cold sweater weather and like the change of seasons
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m hopeful I will get some treasured food. I did get a lot of Kale I harvested yesterday so I’m hopeful! The seasons move so fast you’re so right so it’s good to enjoy them… but truth be told, I love the sunny days ❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
I also will join with love and preference for sunny days! oh so life-giving – 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, indeed Yvette! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
of yes.. sun and fun ios such a gift for sure!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
This inspirational post prompts me to mention that I have often in the past felt the inclination to write a diary but never considered I had enough time. I began my blogging diary just short of my 70th birthday.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Hey Derrick! Right on and right on.
I think you should do something with your photography and maybe you can combine some of that with diary entries – hmmmmm
But your example of starting this diary at 70 is a chilling example of what I think I was getting at here!! Gracias for that ((and to think I felt my oldest at the age of 20)
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂
LikeLike
Well this was inspiring! I started writing “novels” before I turned 10…never got past the first 15 pages, but at the time I was determined to publish a book in my teens. In my teens I decided I was going to publish a book before I turned twenty. When I was twenty, I was going to publish before twenty-five…so on and so forth. Here I am now, just turned 40 last Friday and still not published. I have completed works that have the potential of being taken to that next step, but because I’ve been at it for SO long, it seems like a pipe dream at this point. I’m discouraged with myself and sometimes feel I “missed the boat”, even though in my right mind, I know writing is ageless. Still though… I love reading stories of successful people who didn’t even start till their later years. Makes me feel like I’m not alone, and it IS still possible. Good read 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
Oh wow – I had no idea that you had writing and publishing goals in your life for this long!
And my son wrote a handful of small books when he was younger – and at his 20th birthday party we found one of his books (about a boy and his dog and it actually makes was pretty good and should maybe be taken to the next step)
But on the inside author page it said “this is — — fifth book” and his friends had a chick or with that! We all did
Anyhow
As I mentioned to you before – I think our ear Keri conversations comment chatting was whispering in may
Mind when I I wrote this post! So thaw is for the inspiration
And I am doing the January’ squares daily and trying to be in the moment with them as opposed
To planning them out –
Anyhow – your comment here today relates to another topic I have been churning – and author Elizabeth Gauffreau talked about how she spent a lot of time in a book draft and it never panned out to be an actual book.
I am going to see if I can get her to expound on that and I will link you when the post unfolds (or if)
But it reminds me of what you wrote for two reasons
1) remember the process is just as important as the end result when it comes to some things – and even though the many writing projects you had did not reach a certain finished status – that is only a smal part of what it connected in your life with
Because all that writing and exploring ideas and projects kept feeing your creativity cycle and kept you alive as a writer and human – further – when I read something like this I see a person who is yielding and flexible – and sometimes the delays you speak of happened because maybe you saw the bigger picture – let god lead – and maybe didn’t force something that was not meant to be forced!
The other thing – is that it will help you when it comes time to bring some writing projects to the next level – all that life drawing and experience you ha e will
Continue to add to your deep signature style – which I already feel from your blog posts!
And some authors are “b-flat” with their out out and maybe it is because they forced completions – forced a project to go all the way – or failed to value the delay or side trails that were needed for their essence
Thanks for reading and taking the time to share your story – – I know a few folks can really relate and it was so connected to what I was getting at here – ☀️😊☀️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wrote a lengthy response, but when I hit send it came back as an error. I’ll get back to you later 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh I look forward for it !
And I have that happened before – where a comment evaporates
LikeLiked by 2 people
There were a few standouts in your reply, for instance, “all that writing and exploring ideas and projects kept feeing your creativity cycle and kept you alive as a writer and human”. Writing has definitely gotten me through some hard times. I truly feel it kept me going as a writer and human when my “real life” seemed to be crumbling. Also, “maybe didn’t force something that was not meant to be forced!” THIS!! When I revisit works I once considered complete, I find things to alter/adjust and am far happier with the result. Very kind of you to say, “Continue to add to your deep signature style – which I already feel from your blog posts!” I’m not much of a reader…for one, I don’t have the attention span to finish a novel, and two, I like to think I keep my voice without outside influence. My original reply to you was written much better than this, but this is the gist of what I wanted to say lol Your support has meant a lot to me, and I’m thrilled to have you in my “tribe” 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this – I turn 70 this month but that number absolutely does not register. Do I have one or two physical limitations? Sure – but I can still exercise, play on the floor with grandkids etc. Live your life and forget your age!!
LikeLiked by 4 people
wonderful quote amiga: “Live your life and forget your age”
and you can still click that shutter and click that publish button – so keep on doing that clicking 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a great message, my friend! I love the Colonel Sanders story, and from the reader’s comments it inspired most of us. Thank, Yvette!!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Marsha – thanks – and as we both know – we need to be reminded of some things again and again and again – part of how we stay encouraged!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Exactly, and celebrate, celebrate, celebrate. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Inspiring!
LikeLiked by 3 people
🙂 cheers
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to know as I turn 65 this year … inspiration for my brain to take in Yvette. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh this is a special milestone year for you – what month (if you do not mind sharing)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is Yvette. I will turn 65 in April.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We must celebrate
LikeLiked by 1 person
Umm – I always used to tell people about my age and my mother would admonish me saying “a lady never tells her age.” I think I have quit telling people my age. 🙂 I was highlighting my light brown hair, then my stylist said “you have to do low lights too.” I said “okay” but I have to say she was adding too much blonde and a darker brown … I really didn’t care for the look as I looked like a tiger (IMO). I suggested (nicely as she’s a super person and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings) that I wanted to return to the natural look she had done for years, to no avail. So I went April, July and October – in the Winter I wear a hat (October to April). I couldn’t see her in April as they shuttered hair salons and they didn’t open until Summer sometime. I did my dental cleaning and eye doc and allergy shots (monthly) and said hair can wait. Now it’s been since October 2019 since I saw her. I cut it myself (not the layers just the bottom- I have long hair with long layers) and the highlights are growing out gracefully so I’m not going back. I’m sad to do that, but I made suggestions how I wanted it to look, so this is an easy way out. A fellow blogger Laurie – Meditations in Motion) turned 64 on Monday and ran 6.4 miles for her birthday – she suggested I walk 6.5 miles … I don’t know if that’s doable that early in the year unless we have a mild Winter and I can keep walking at least 4-5 miles daily consistently as I don’t own a treadmill. I may do it, but do kilometers since my year-end goal is in kilometers anyway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome post. This one really inspires me. Thanks!
LikeLike
I want to be old, but never too old. Plant those seeds.
LikeLike