A great reminder: as we start the new year

As you start 2024 remember it is okay to dream, even if you don’t even know what your dream is yet. Even if you’re flipping burgers, waiting tables or answering phones today, you never know where you’ll end up tomorrow.

Never tell yourself you’re too old to make it.

Never tell yourself you missed your chance.

Never tell yourself that you aren’t good enough.

You can do it. Whatever it is that sets your soul on fire.

Make 2024 the year you start to build or continue to build your dream.

At age 23, Tina Fey was working at a YMCA.

At age 23, Oprah was fired from her first reporting job.

At age 24, Stephen King was working as a janitor and living in a trailer.

At age 27, Vincent Van Gogh failed as a missionary and decided to go to art school.

At age 28, J.K. Rowling was a single parent living on welfare who was clinically depressed and at times contemplated suicide.

At age 28, Wayne Coyne (from The Flaming Lips) was a fry cook.

At age 30, Harrison Ford was a carpenter.

At age 30, Martha Stewart was a stockbroker.

At age 37, Ang Lee was a stay-at-home dad working odd jobs.

Julia Child released her first cookbook at age 39 and got her own cooking show at age 51.

Vera Wang failed to make the Olympic figure skating team, didn’t get the Editor-in-Chief position at Vogue, and designed her first dress at age 40.

Stan Lee didn’t release his first big comic book until he was 40.

Alan Rickman gave up his graphic design career to pursue acting at age 42.

Samuel L. Jackson didn’t get his first major movie role until he was 40.

Morgan Freeman landed his first MAJOR movie role at age 52.

Kathryn Bigelow only reached international success when she made The Hurt Locker at age 57.

Grandma Moses didn’t begin her painting career until age 76.

Louise Bourgeois didn’t become a famous artist until she was 78.

Stanislav Petrov: At age 44, Petrov made a critical decision that averted a potential nuclear war. Working as a Soviet military officer in 1983, he correctly identified a false alarm indicating a U.S. missile attack, preventing a retaliatory strike. Taikichiro Mori: Mori began his real estate career at age 51 after leaving his academic position. He went on to become one of Japan's wealthiest individuals by developing a successful real estate business. Laura Ingalls Wilder: Wilder published her first book, "Little House in the Big Woods," at age 65. This marked the beginning of her beloved "Little House" series, which became a cherished part of American literature. Colonel Harland Sanders: Sanders founded Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) at age 65. His famous fried chicken recipe eventually led to the global fast-food chain that we know today. Mary Wesley: Wesley didn't publish her first novel until age 70. She went on to become a best-selling author in her later years, known for her novels such as "The Camomile Lawn." Remember, success can come at any age, and it's never too late to pursue your dreams and passions. You aren’t a failure because you haven’t found fame and fortune by the age of 20.

My thanks to Marissa for this