Is Age Really Just A Number?

So often we here that age is nothing but a number. And that is true, but at the same time, we evaluate our accomplishments in life based on the goals and expectation that we set for ourselves by a certain age. Consciously are subconsciously we use our age as a barometer to measure  how successful we have or  have not become in life. Our age related goals are often set as follows:  married by the age of 25; 2.5 children by 30;  retired and living in a beach front condo in the Caribbean at 65.  We all know the drill. But here is the reality, when life does not happen as plan, we begin to take inventory. Some of us figure out a way to reinvent ourselves and others decide to stay at status quo, letting their hopes and dreams fade away.

For those of you who find yourself at one end or the other, and even somewhere in between, let me share a story with you.

I am a die hard foodie, as such my television is constantly on the Food Network. I am always looking for new recipes and creative presentation ideas; so naturally, I am lured in by the decadent dishes highlighted on the various food shows. Besides their culinary talents, the personal stories of the celebrity chefs are extremely interesting. One story that amazes me is Paula Deen (pictured above with Oprah)  a 62- year old southern cook in Savannah Georgia, who started her business out of a need.

“Newly divorced and with only $200 to her name, 42 year old Paula packed up her two sons and moved from Albany, Ga., to Savannah. There she started her own catering business called The Bag Lady, where she prepared fresh lunches to sell to downtown businesses and doctors’ offices.

I am sorry to interrupt, but did they say she started her business at the age of 42? Sorry, I digress. Continue….

In 1990, Paula opened her own restaurant in the south side Savannah Best Western. Called The Lady and Sons, it served breakfast, lunch and dinner in a small space that could seat 42 people maximum. The restaurant remained in that location for four years, where Paula and her sons built their business with a core of faithful patrons. In 1995, Paula jumped on the opportunity to relocate to downtown Savannah, where The Lady and Sons has been ever since.( From Paula Deens Bio on www.foodnetwork.com)

At an age when most people are getting their second wind in life, Paula Deen was just getting started. At the time, no one knew Paula Deen suffered from panic attacks and agoraphobia – a phobia which causes people to stay at home because they can’t face the fears of what might happen in the real world. Due to her condition, she had to do something to make a living and provide for her family, so she turned to what she knew, cooking.  So many of us have chosen career paths that we may like or even enjoy but in essence, it is not really our passion. Like Paula Deen we had to do something in order to survive.

Now 20 years later at the tender age of 62,  with the help of her five year stint on  Food Network, not only has Paula Deen faced her demons, but she has remarried and built an empire under the Paula Deen brand. Her empire includes a number of endorsements, an extensive product line, television shows and appearances. Also under her brand, her sons Jamie and Bobby Deen have established their own brand and now her husband, Michael Groover has begun to establish his brand as well.

I have often heard that when you walk out your destiny and purpose, you touch so many people’s lives. And by Paula Deen doing what she knew how to do, she opened the door to so many in her immediate family and beyond. Because of her commitment, and the opportunity that she afforded her sons, her sons were able to do the same for someone else. While taping a segment of their show Road Tasted with Jamie and Bobby, they discovered a couple from Memphis, Tennessee-  Pat and Gina Neeley, co-owners of Neelys barbecue. They fell in love with the Neely’s and help pave the way for the Neely’s to join the Food Network family. And boy did they ever. The Neelys took Food Network by storm. Look at what they have accomplished in almost 2 years:

After its February 2008 premiere, Down Home with the Neelys became the highest-rated series debut in the five-year history of Food Network’s “In the Kitchen” weekend block and continues to be a top ratings performer. Filmed in their Memphis home surrounded by family and friends, the show now airs seven days a week on Food Network. The Neelys launched a second Food Network show in July 2008, Road Tasted with the Neelys, a cross-country search for specialty stores and family-run businesses that make hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind edibles. In May 2009, the Neelys released their first cookbook entitled Down Home with the Neelys (Knopf, 2009), which quickly earned a place on The New York Times’ best-seller list. (From Pat & Gina Neely’s Bio www.foodnetwork.com)

Wow! The Neely’s just needed an opportunity. They were prime and ready when opportunity knocked on their door. Who is waiting on you to show up to catapult them into their destiny? Better yet, who are you waiting on to open the door to your next opportunity? If they showed up today, are you ready? What  is hindering you? Are you looking at your past failures, your circumstances, your age? Truth be told, most people are hindered by their age  coupled with past failures more than anything else.  Some feel that they are to young and  that no one will take them seriously or they feel that they are to old and that no one will take them seriously. Either way, they allow something as minute as a number to hinder them from their destiny.

Well, no more excuses. There is to much work to be done and there are to many people waiting on you to show up. Age really is only a number. You are never to young or to old to get started.  Its not to late or to soon to pursue your passion and dreams. So many people are waiting on you. You are the key to their destiny and they are the key to yours.

Who would think that Paula Deen, a housewife from Albany, Ga., with no formal training in food, would become one of the country’s most beloved celebrity chefs? (From Paula Deen Bio on www.foodnetwork.com)

Because Paula Deen showed up and did what needed to be done out of necessity, she has not only prospered but has afforded others to be able to do the same. All you have to do is show up and do what you know to do. And God will do the rest. Give God an opportunity to allow his favor to shine on you. Give Him something to work with.

There is a song that says, It ain’t over, until God says its over. And if you are still living and breathing, it ain’t over. As always, the best is yet to come. Here is to your success! Remember we win.

Much love,

Judi

PS If you need a little more inspiration, look at a portion of the product line that 62- year old Paula Deen has been able to accomplish in the past 5 years.

According to the Paula Deen store at www.paluadeen.com her empire consists of the following:

Cookware        Magazines       Cookbooks      Calendars        Reading glasses

Seafood           Sweets             Books              Spices, Mixes, Sauces

Furniture

For more information on

Paula Deen:

www.pauladeen.com

http://www.foodnetwork.com/paula-deen/bio/index.html

http://food.aol.com/paula-deen

The Neelys:

http://www.neelysbbq.com/home.htm

http://www.foodnetwork.com/patrick-and-gina-neely/bio/index.html

Other Related Articles:

Don’t Be Afraid Of That Next Level

Why Aren’t You Fearless?

A Letter To All The Emotionally Constipated Men

Forgotten Where You Come From?

How Did I Get Here? How To Get Back On Track

Article written by Judi Mason for www.elev8.com

Contact Judi: judi@divaink.com

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