Today's quote is from C. S. Lewis, author and atheist turned believer.
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
This is deeply personal to me because I am not so young as most of you, my blogging buddies. Sometimes I get to feeling like I've started too late in this quest to find an agent and get a book published, particularly when I see all the fresh young faces that grace book covers and blog sites.
Sometimes it makes me feel ancient. But do not confuse feeling ancient with feeling old. There's a difference. I think feeling old has more to do with one's physical state of being while feeling ancient has more to do with ones accumulated knowledge and wisdom.
Whenever I sort of get to feeling like giving up I think of this quote. I believe thinking that we are never too old to do and try and dream new things is major preventative medicine against feeling old, even when you're sick or hurting.
So I ask, what do you think about growing older, growing wiser?
PS have any of you read his Space Trilogy? The three books are: Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength. I read them when I was in high school. I need to read them again, I'm sure I'd get WAY more out of them, now that I'm older and wiser.
Great quote! I feel like painting that across a wall somewhere in my house!
ReplyDeleteHow do I feel about getting older and wiser? I'm perfectly okay with it. I've never really embraced my outer appearance, so watching the wrinkles and gray hair appear doesn't phase me. I've learned so much and I'm only (hopefully) halfway home.
You're so right Bish. Old is just a state of mind.
ReplyDeleteBish, Lewis is one of my favorite writers and his nonfiction is even more amazing than his Narnia series. Amazing. So this simple quote is very wise.
ReplyDeleteI think our culture does not value getting older. With age comes wisdom. Sure, my inner child is very much alive and well and even throwing tantrums, but I love getting older and I can't wait to be even wiser. So the old bones might not be as dense and my body not so beautiful, but I'll take wisdom any day over those things. In the end, it is our character alone that matters. So, that is my long-winded answer to this lovely quote from Lewis.
Man I love that quote. I hope I never stop making goals and setting out to follow them.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't mind growing older. Especially since I look like I'm 16, I wouldn't mind forming a few distinguished creases here and there :)
Gah, I read a blog today that was posting about how so many debut authors for teen fiction are actually over 40. And do you think I can recall which it was?
ReplyDeleteOh well, the point is, age doesn't matter--passion does. :) Dreams aren't just for the young (or I'd be in trouble!. :)
I like getting older and wiser. I become a better person every year. :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Lewis. He's a genius. And yes, I did read his space trilogy. I liked Perelandra the best. And the older I get, the more I feel that I have to offer in my stories.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love, love C.S Lewis!!!! He is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!
ReplyDeletehe has beautiful quotes and his stories...*sigh*
Another Lewis fan. I do enjoy the idea of growing wiser, and even ancient in the sense you use it, but not necessarily older. I know you and I both had that certain HS reunion year this summer. :) I don't think about my age much, and I've only recently begun to wonder from time to time if others see me as "older" and I'm the only one who blissfully doesn't. I look a little younger than I am, which helps. I mean "helps" in that I'm not yet losing the respect older people lose (I don't THINK), and it's sad that happens. I don't like when people my age or even younger moan a lot about how old they're getting. They're talking themselves into obsolescence. For me, the definition of getting older has to do with ceasing to learn. When people decide they will go no farther: they won't learn to use new technology, won't challenge their thinking, won't do this, that and the other "anymore," that's when old age begins.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right Vijaya, that we don't value older folk. When we look at an ancient tree all gnarled and scarred with age we think it's beautiful. We need to have that same attitude about our elderly.
ReplyDeleteOh, just give yourself time Jude. The wrinkles and sagging body parts will come. Gravity works wonders!
Suzanne, hopefully that is the goal, to become a wiser and better person.
I SO hear you Marcia about younger people moaning about how old they're getting! HA! It's true what they say, getting older is NOT for sissies.
I'm with you Christina. I would like to think that life experience is worth something in the world of writing.
How on earth have I been missing your blogposts? So many that I've missed! But I checked and you are on my blog list! :( I'll blame it on growing older,er, I mean wiser!! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat quote by CS Lewis. And, although sometimes I'd like to exchange this body for my younger body, when I think how much calmer and, well, wiser I am now...maybe I'll keep this body and it's (somewhat) wiser old head!! :)
Judy