These are not things you think about in your 20s or 30s. That is time in your life when you tend to feel that your future is spread out in front of you. It's as though you are standing on a spot on East Coast and you see clearly in front of you road that leads to West Coast. At 50, you are somewhere in Kansas (close to Colorado border) and now road in front of you doesn't seem so long.

In your 20s and 30s, you have luxury of saying, "I can always do that later." At 50, your "laters" are NOW.

This is not meant to be a depressing article on getting older. Turning 50 was not depressing for me. Turning 50 revitalized me. It gave me confidence to feel I could tackle those things I've always wanted to do. If I didn't succeed at something first time and I sincerely wanted it, I would keep trying and keep trying. If it wasn't meant to be, so be it; at least I gave it 100%.

The point of this article is this: Try ANYTHING that you sincerely and passionately want to do. You have nothing to lose. Feel that you're too old? How old is "too old?" "Too old" is any age YOU decide it is. If you decide there is no such age, then world will stand aside to let you pass.

I am slowly shortening my list of "Wish-Idas." More and more I'm thinking when I look back on my life, I'll be saying, "I've had a full life following my passions. Successes and failures, but at least I tried."

Never place limits on yourself. Don't let it be YOU sitting in a rocking chair on a front porch, regretting "Wish-Idas."

"Do not aspire to immortality, but exhaust limits of possible." Pindar

Instead of letting life's obstacles bring you down and destroy you, use them. Use your adversities to make you stronger and help you succeed in business, education, or whatever you choose. Use hardship to toughen you.

Telling your story to your customers and associates will undoubtedly get you support, respect, and even success. Don't embellish your tale or beg for pity, but don't be afraid to let people know what you have been through. Being honest about your life's history will inspire trust and understanding in others who may very well have been down same road.