Middle-age does not mean mediocrity.

I mean, why do we let the years change us?

Dreams change, or seem further out of reach. And I guess with a shorter horizon staring back – they are.

In college, you wanted to start a business.

But in middle age, all you want is a little bit better of a job.

Or maybe you gave up on painting 20 years ago.

I don’t know.

I don’t like that age waits.

Or, that grandparents die.

But let’s not lose our awe of it all in the process.

Let’s not think that less, is all that is possible.

Years do not mean mediocrity. You can find your purpose now.

“The youth gets together his materials to build a bridge to the moon,” Thoreau noted mournfully, “or perchance a palace or temple on the earth, and at length the middle-aged man concludes to build a wood-shed with them.”

–Annie Dillard, The Writing Life