I love it when I speak with people who have more wisdom than myself. I do not feel that age makes you any more qualified to teach something or do a job. What age brings to the table is large amounts of wisdom and life experience. Age should be no factor in who you are as a person or who you can become. It is never too late to reach your fullest potential. However, reaching your fullest potential sooner than later can have a huge impact on your life.

The other day I was speaking to a woman, and she was telling me about her life. She told me that at an early age, she had to be an adult and that she never had the opportunity to be a kid because she was the oldest and had to take responsibility when her mother wasn’t around. I am sure that some of you can relate to this sense of duty or obligation. I know for me, it was when I was in college. I had to sacrifice going out with friends and partying because I had work or school. That was my life. I did have many good times in college, but I did not have that typical college life of partying, drinking, and forgetting where I parked my car.

The golden years of your life can happen at any age, and it doesn’t have to be in only one era of your life. You do not have to be a teen, college student, young professional, or wise elder to be in your golden years. In all actuality, you can treat your golden years the same way you treat happiness in the regard that you are in charge. It is wrong to say that your teens were the best years of your life because you were happy, didn’t have to work, and had no obligations besides school. Though you may reminisce on those times and long for the easiness, it provided you can have many more golden years ahead.

The years ahead can be your best years yet. I am sure you hear people talk about the “new year, new me” and that“ this year will be my best year yet.” The list can go on for new years resolutions, but the most important thing that happens around the New Year is reflection. You may reflect on your life and how far you have come. You look at hardships, mistakes, challenges, good/bad times, and times you may regret. What you gain when you look back is to reaffirm a few things in your life. You made it, and you are not done yet.

Though life can be rough and teach you harsh lessons, at times, the golden years can be just around the corner. In times when things seem to be worst than they have ever been, be sure to pay attention to how you are feeling. There is a saying, “It is the darkest right before dawn.”, which means that the light will shine after the darkness has had its chance to stay. The sun will come up the next day. No matter what darkness you are traveling through, the light will be there to guide you out of that struggle. The golden years can also be the times when the light was not the warmest or brightest you have felt or seen. Regardless of when your golden years happen in your life, they can be replicated. The main thing you need to achieve your golden years is a proper mindset to get you there.

As I take a look back at my conversation with the lady I was speaking with, I see she had many more stories to share. She went on to tell me how fortunate in life she was and how her family always found a way to make ends meet regardless of being “poor.” Why couldn’t those times be considered the golden years? What caused her to miss those years and not focus on what truly makes a year golden? She told me several more stories of times in her life, and I concluded she was a very giving person. She would give even when it would leave her without. Regardless of having none, I could tell that she felt joyful when she gave or helped out. The joy of giving can be very powerful, and she knew this. That is why she could not just ignore others’ plights. However, there has to be something more to life than giving all you have and not seeing the benefits. The golden years are up to you!

She asked herself a great question, and that was, “Where were my golden years?”. She could not even remember a specific time in her life that could be considered a “golden year.” Yes, she had very good points and moments in her life, but nothing like the college star player who is loved by all and gets a full ride to college and then drafted into the NFL. Those were his prime years, and he made something of them. The only thing in life that can stop you from having your best life is you. If you believe that it will not get any better, then you are right. That is the mindset you have laid in your brain. However, those who believe that tomorrow will be brighter and the next day will equate to more energy are people who show more positive results in life.  These people understand what is needed for success to come into their life. Similar to leaving cookies and milk out for Santa to receive gifts. Be sure you put action and perseverance on the table to see what wonderful success is left for you.

That success that you seek over and again can be yours countless times, again and again. There is no limit to how much success you can bring in your life. There is no age limit that says that if you are this old, you cannot be a star. You can be anything you want to be with preparation and hard work. Your golden years are built by you, not by dates on the calendar. Knowing that much allows you to begin to take the proper action to see more golden years in your plentiful life. The years not seen by your eyes do not have to be a mystery anymore. You can label what this year will be and make it so.

Again, hard times will come, but the hard times should not turn you negative and destructive. You should care what you think, say, and portray to the world. At the end of the day, you do not need anyone to like you or love you if you love and respect yourself. You are the person who can become a role model and set an example for others to follow. You can start with nothing and end with everything. The world is at your beckoning call. The world wants to serve you! When this moment happens in your life, be sure to pay attention so that you can implement that same feeling into every day. That “every day” will soon turn to years, and the progress and effort you put forth will be to having a series of golden years.

The golden years are not a one-time thing in your life. You can have a wonderful year now and next. You can be cynical and start comparing years and saying how you did not like one year over another, or you can love each year for its uniqueness. Every year you have is a blessing not given to some to repeat. You have the opportunity to learn, live, and survive through all of the challenges that life naturally brings. Your future golden years are waiting for you.

In ending, You want to make sure that you are taking care of yourself (mind, body, and soul). This year I want you to make an effort to get and stay in peak operating condition. This includes the body, mind, and soul. The battles to the best you are now underway. So if you feel like you are in a battle or a race that you cannot win, I want you to change that mindset and keep pressing on. The golden years you deserve are waiting for your victory. Remember, all you have to do to be victorious and open your life up to a new set of golden years is to keep taking proper actions, remaining consistent, and taking care of yourself (Mind, Body, and soul).

Until then,

Michael Rearden

Founder of Reven Concepts