Wisdom From Ann Hall Marshall

Many people have told me I am an inspiration to them. That’s because I’ve written and published two novels, a new career starting at age 85. “You’ve demonstrated that it’s never too late to follow your dream,” they say.

Well, I’m glad they’re inspired, perhaps motivated to breathe new life into their own abandoned dreams.

Yes, think bold, dream big, climb the highest mountain you can. But be sensible. Do you want to spend your life in sullen frustration because you never ascended Everest? Stand on top of the old worn-down hill in your neighborhood and glory that you’re there.

Be a CEO or star quarterback if that’s destiny. If it’s your role to be a follower, be a successful follower. You’re needed. You keep the world spinning. If it’s your job to prepare three meals day after day after day, change the diapers, rock the baby, work the garden, pay the bills, do your job well and do it cheerfully. Shine forth to those around you.

Seek to live a generous, committed life, loving and learning, giving, growing, glowing. That sums up my inspiration.

Here are four pillars that have supported my happy life:

When I come to a fork in my road, I always choose to do something I believe is important, something I think I can do well, something that God will smile on, then I do it with all my heart.

…Continue reading at InspireMeToday.com.

Ann is a retired educator, the mother of 10 children, and the author of two lively novels written in her late 80s.

Photo Credit: Gail Lynne Goodwin

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Marianne B.

8:41PM PDT on Jul 14, 2012

Thank you Gail. Beautifully written. No wonder you're an inspiration.

July 14
send a green star

Lin M.

6:14PM PDT on Jul 14, 2012

You are an inspiratin

Duane B.

10:40AM PDT on Jul 14, 2012

Thank you for sharing.

Jennifer C.

6:34AM PDT on Jul 14, 2012

Thanks.

Kay M.

5:32PM PDT on Jul 13, 2012

thx

July 13
send a green star

Past Member .

3:28PM PDT on Jul 13, 2012

At age 76, I find that my repeated good fortune has helped me to have great experiences and make significant contributions at each stage of my life. However, it was not until after age 70 that I started finding solutions to problems for much of mankind. My recent effort is to start and demonstrate advanced counter-desertification techniques that may be used to turn desert lands (1/3rd of all land) into Gardens of Eden. However, there is always opposition in all things so I was not surprised when "big oil" started making efforts to deter my counter-desertification demonstration in a desert area of Kenya. "Big oil" does not like the fact that one of my desert crops is jojoba, and jojoba lipids (oils) may be made into biofuels. No matter what, each of us need to keep on keeping on.