It's never too late....

As the semester is nearing it's end, it may seem as though "it is just too late." Too late to turn in that over-due homework assignment, too late to earn a better grade in the class you wish you put more effort into, and too late change your attendance in that class you wish you had not missed so many times.

As college students(and everyone else)we live our lives inextricably tied to schedules, deadlines, calendars, datebooks, Palm Pilots, Blackberries, alarms, and reminders. As dates and times pass it seems as though time is always running out and when an important deadline, meeting, or opportunity is missed we feel as though we can never repair the damage it causes. It may be true that some opportunities may never show up again on the calendar once it has gone by, and maybe it is too late to change your grade on an assignment or in a class, but for the things in life that truly matter, it is never too late, according to one very inspiring little book called, "It's Never Too Late...172 Acts to Change Your Life" by Patrick Lindsay.

"It's Never Too Late" is a tiny book, not much bigger than an index card, but the advice and insight it holds is enormous. It is the kind of book which one can turn to any page and begin to read and gain inspiration and a more positive outlook, even in the most trying of times. When I am stressing over class-work, grades, relationships, the ever-present "what I am doing with my life" question, or financial woes, a quick read of just a few pages always helps me center myself and look toward my future with hope and confidence.

"It's Never Too Late" is an inexpensive book and I hope you will pick up a copy for yourself. Until then, here is a small sample of what Lindsay has to offer:


It's never too late:

~To make plans~
Looking ahead takes you out of the daily grind.
Planning ahead brings hope.
Small plans first with realistic goals.
Build confidence.
Then make bigger plans with bigger goals.
Always have plans.

~To say sorry~
It takes courage.
It releases you.
It enriches the other person.
In ennobles you.
It gives you both a new beginning.

~To have a happy childhood~
Draw a line.
Accept the past as a lesson for the future.
Use that strength.
Look ahead and smile with anticipation.

~To get a life~
Slow down.
Look around.
Feel your heart.
Find the people and things that you love.
Care for them.

~To start again~
Look at nature.
Nothing stays the same.
Why should you?
Use change wisely.
Like a sporting champion, change a losing game.
Keep the things that matter.
Lose the things that don't.
Set some goals.
Start afresh.

~To start a new career~
Your career is not you.
It's not your life-
it's your job.
You can always expand your horizons
or change direction.
Remain positive.
Find a new work challenge-
one that inspires you.
Explore it.
Chase it with passion.

~To laugh at yourself~
Life is too short to take it too seriously.
It's easy to laugh at others-
much harder to laugh at ourselves.
But it's more rewarding.
It lightens our lives.
It brightens others lives.
It builds self-confidence and self-worth.
It endears us to others.

~To share wisdom~
It's rewarding.
It brings benefits to both giver and receiver.
Pass on hard-won experience.
Especially where it can stop suffering or pain.
Hand out knowledge generously.
It will be repaid ten-fold.

Lindsay inspired me to think of my own "it's never too late"-

~It is never to late to stand still~
Just for a moment.
Don't look back.
Don't look ahead.
Just be.
Congratulate yourself-
being who you are
right now
right here
is one of the greatest accomplishments you will ever make.
Take it in.
Before it's too late.
LM.