Too Soon Old. Too Late Smart

Let me share some advice given by two men; one young and one old: A young man asked one of my daughters, “How do you know when you’re successful?” She replied, “That depends on what your idea of success is.” He said, “Wrong answer.” He held that success is when you achieve your financial goals and have everything you could ever want that money can buy. He said, “Get a good job, save your money and get rich; that is success.” This young man is well loved and respected. He has a young wife and two children. He seems happy. An old man shared with me something he learned as a youth; “Too soon old. Too late smart.” During our visit, he shared stories from ‘back when.’ Reminiscing, he mentioned that he had turned down business and employment opportunities due to family priorities, more than once. He said he wanted to support his family, but wasn’t willing to leave them to do it. He’d seen what often happens when too much time is spent away from each other, and he didn’t want to risk that with his own marriage and home. He also wanted them to feel stable, and so he didn’t want to “drag ‘em all over the place chasing more money.” His children and grandchildren are all grown, as the generations tend to do. Two of his daughters have passed; one died of childhood leukemia many years ago at age eleven, and one 63-year-old suffered a singular massive coronary event, just before Thanksgiving last year. He’s still in love with the wife of his youth (and she loves him back). His progeny esteem him highly. He is grateful for what he feels has been a life lived well. Both of these men have lived and are living by the rules of investments and returns (remember I’ve spoken to you of these before). We can only expect to get returns on that which we have wisely invested. Be it education, farming, practicing a musical instrument or training our bodies for strength and wellness; we cannot reap that which we have not sown. Those who know the older man, can attest he seems to feel successful. He’s old and his body is failing, yet he feels free, living in his own home. He feels valued, recognizing his power as an adviser and confidante in his family. He’s enjoying life at 84 without fear. It’s too soon to tell how the younger man will feel when he’s standing near the end of his road, reminiscing… Look ahead. Invest yourself in what matters most, while you still can. When the day is done, don’t be too soon old and too late smart.