Grow Through Seasons, Not Expiration Dates
The late great Michael Jackson said it best when he famously said,” I’m starting with the Man in the Mirror; I’m asking him to change his ways”.
There’s an age where a man stands before a mirror one day and realizes he’s lived multiple lifetimes already. Some call it growing old. Others call it slowing down.
But I choose to see it another way.
I call it evolution.
Listen, for years I measured myself by the cards life dealt me: surviving, responsibility, sacrificing, and maintaining. I allowed titles to become my identity: father, husband, barber, provider, Marine, mentor. While I’m proud of every single title I’ve earned or responsibility I’ve had, there comes a season in life where you start asking yourself questions:
Who am I growing into now?
What passions are still inside of me?
Is there still time to grow?
The answer is YES!
Too many people are misinformed into believing that growth only happens during the early stages of your life. That once you reach a certain age, you’re supposed to get comfortable, play it safe, and limit yourself to an easy life.
I don’t agree with that philosophy.
I believe we’re all capable of reinventing ourselves, even in years where most people give up. Not because I have no idea what I’m doing — but quite the opposite. I understand that growth is a lifelong process.
Currently, I’m dipping my toes into the cyber world of cybersecurity. A career that’s worlds apart from where I spent over a decade in barbering. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s that we can always learn new skills while STILL embracing the wisdom we’ve accumulated over the years.
Sure, I’m striving every day to be a better man for my wife and our son by finding the perfect balance of faith, family, purpose, and discipline. But that doesn’t mean I’m not working on parts of my life that need repairing. We all have parts of us that life tends to bruise as we get older. And although I am a dad and I consider myself grown, I’m still allowing myself to grow up.
Let’s be real.
This journey isn’t always comfortable.
There will be days where you think you’re too far behind or feel “old” compared to your peers. You’ll see people younger than you farther ahead or more “advanced” and start believing the lies that you missed your window.
But what most people don’t understand…
Maturity is an advantage.
Failures from your past are TRAINING.
Older age allows you to SEE things that people in their youth often miss.
Reinventing yourself in your “older years” isn’t about trying to live like you’re young again. It’s the complete opposite. It’s realizing that you refuse to be “old” mentally.
It’s about evolving as a human being while staying TRUE to who God created you to be.
My reinvention started within before it could ever be seen on the outside. Before I could get my next opportunity or achieve new goals, I had to silence the voice in my head that told me I was too far gone. I had to wake up every day and remind myself:
Your best days could be TODAY.
Your best days are not defined by your age, your salary, or the car you drive. They’re determined by the person you choose to become.
I’ve spent the last year really learning who I am outside of cutting hair. I’ve gone through a detox of sorts mentally and spiritually. I’m cutting out the distractions. Becoming more disciplined. More intentional. More spiritual. More in tune with my emotions. AND spending every minute I can building my next chapter while being more purposeful with my time, effort, and voice.
I’m cutting hair plans.
I’m cutting out distractions.
I’m cutting DEEP and building myself back up…
… EVEN BETTER than before.
I wanted to share this with you because maybe…just maybe you needed to read this today.
You’re not too old.
You’re not too far in life.
You DON’T have to stay the same feeling lost and confused.
Life hasn’t finished writing your story.
You are NEVER too old, TOO late, or TOO anything to reinvent yourself.
You just have to want it BAD enough.
Reinvention at 25 is possible.
Reinvention at 45 is possible.
Reinvention at 65 is STILL possible.
Growth never retires.
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