This is a little dated now, but I wanted to post what 41-year-old Olympic swimmer Dara Torres said in a televised interview right after helping win the silver for the United States women’s relay team.
The interviewer pointed out that Dara’s two-year-old daughter Tessa won’t remember this Olympics, so what will Dara tell her? Dara responded that she’d tell her:
“You don’t have to put an age limit on your dreams.”
What do you think? Is she right?
Obviously with Torres as Exhibit A, we would have to admit that the upper age limit on competitive swimming needs to be re-evaluated.
Are there age limits on our dreams?
Are there any limits on our dreams?
For your consideration, here are some inspiring examples of people overcoming what would normally be viewed as “limits”:
- Grandma Moses, who took up painting very late in life (some say she started in her 60s, others cite that she began when she was in her 70s).
- Amputees with artificial legs competing in marathons and the Ironman Triathlon.
- The 33-year-old gymnast winning a silver medal in vaulting at this year’s Olympics (quotable quote: “I could go to London in 2012…I will only be 37”).
- A 38-year-old Romanian woman (a mom) winning the Olympic marathon.
- And of course 41-year-old Dara Torres securing the silver in the Olympic 50 meter freestyle and the women’s 400 meter medley relay (at least I think I got that right–I already messed up Torres’ name, so I’m unsure of myself when listing her accomplishments).
- That surfer gal who lost an arm in a shark attack. She had barely recuperated, and went right back out there to ride the waves. She said she wants “to encourage other people to follow their dreams despite obstacles that seem insurmountable.”
Is that sufficient evidence not to place any age limits on our dreams?
What do you think?
What’s your dream?
Do you feel that too many limitations keep you from pursuing it?
My dream is to see all my children grown and grounded and mad about God married to spouses who are the same, raising children to be the same. I refuse to allow the world to strangle me in limitations to this end, and live a pretty single minded purpose to this end. This will be my dream til I stand before the One who commissioned me as Mother and hear Him say; “Well done my good and faithful servant”. Even though those words seem entirely out of reach to me, I know that in Him, and this is His dream too, is victory. How can I be limited when I have Him for coach and partner? I’ve got an unfair advantage from the get go 😀 (Lord, I jest, but you know I throw myself on your grace and strength to bring my dream to fulfillment.)
I should add, about the married and children part, if that is the path they choose, my dream is for their spouse and children to be that, of course if they choose to remain single I’m good with that!
When I was 3, I was diagnosed diabetic. Back in those days, diabetes was the 3rd leading killer in Americans. My diagnosis was grim. I probably wouldn’t live to see 30. I would never have children. No cake, ice cream or pizza at birthday parties. I would be sickly, and not have a lot of energy.
I will be 40 in December. I will be celebrating along with my 3 children. I have been a a dancer, a softball player, a high school volleyball player, a competitive roller skater. I have cake at parties (not ice cream…yuck!). I have accomplished many of my goals, including owning my own successful business, finishing my college degree, marrying a God loving man, owning my dream house and my dream car, traveling, going on mission trips…I’ve done a lot.
Oh, and for the record…I still dance. I take a tap class with the teenagers, and I dance an adult combo class that is part jazz and part hip hop. I have FUN, and have set ZERO limitations on myself. Dream big, and GO FOR IT! Don’t ever let anybody tell you that you can’t.
Ann,
I found your site by accident while surfing around looking for photos of Dara Torres and Tessa to use in a little project I’m doing. I loved your blog entry on chaos that follows this one – how very true :-). And as for age limits on dreams, I have only two words of advice from an old geezer still looking for rings to grab – Randy Pausch.
All the best.