Do You Ever Feel Like You’ve Missed Your Chance To Achieve Greatness Doing What You Love?

I have good news for you. You haven’t. You’re never too old to start a second – or third, or fifteenth – act in life.

1.  Stan Lee, the creative force responsible for Marvel Comics. Lee was nearly forty years old when he scored his first hit with The Fantastic Four.

2. Grandma Moses is perhaps the most notorious self-taught painter in the world. A farm wife and mother of ten, Moses did not paint a single piece of artwork until the age of seventy-eight. Her nostalgic depictions of nature have rendered her a folk art hero, and an inspiration to many in the creative community. Her original artwork now sells for tens of thousands of dollars.

3. J.K. Rowling is one of the most universally beloved authors of our time. Many may be surprised to hear that Rowling was nearly thirty when she escaped an abusive relationship, living in poverty with her young daughter. She struggled for several years to find a publisher for her first book, enduring multiple rejections. She finally achieved stability in her mid-thirties.

4. Vera Wang‘s dresses are known to be the gold standard of wedding gowns. She did not start designing at all until she was forty years old. Before this, Wang was known for her world-class figure skating talent.

5. Ellen DeGeneres gave up her dream of becoming a veterinarian, believing that she was not smart enough. In her early adulthood, Ellen waited tables, sold vacuum cleaners, painted houses, and worked as a secretary. Although she started performing in her mid-twenties, her famous talk show did not become a reality until she was forty-five.

6. Walt Disney may be one of the most famous creative minds of our time. In Disney’s early life, he experienced many failures. He did not find success as a cartoonist until his thirties.

7. Colonel Sanders – of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame and fortune – did not start cooking professionally until the age of sixty-five. By the age of 88, he was a billionaire. Before achieving deep-fried greatness, Sanders worked as a lawyer, fireman, and conductor, as well as other jobs.

8. Boman Irani is well known as one of the greatest actors in Bollywood. Among his most famous films is 3 Idiots. Although Irani was always drawn to creative jobs, such as writing and photography, he did not break into professional acting until his mid-forties.

“Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying,” wrote Roy T. Bennett.

What Would You Try If You, Like The People Listed Above, Were Not Afraid To Fail?

Article Source: http://unisoultheory.com/index.php/2017/04/07/8-people-who-prove-live-your-best-life/
Image Source: http://unisoultheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/8-people-who-prove-live-your-best-life.jpg

VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Notorious (adj.) ~ famous or well known, typically for some bad quality
2. Nostalgic (adj.) ~ characterized by or exhibiting feelings of nostalgia (a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past)
3. Bollywood (n.) ~ the motion-picture industry of India

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. If Stan Lee would approach you and ask for your own concept of a superhero. What would be your superhero’s name and its strengths?
2. Grandma Moses is known for her original artworks and famous paintings. If you could paint one place, what would it be? Why?
3. Colonel Sanders is famous for his Kentucky Fried Chicken and its mouthwatering taste. If you could add an ingredient to his original fried chicken recipe, what would it be?
4. If you could pick your favorite successful person among all of them, who would it be? Why?
5. In your opinion, what does it take to be successful?
6. What would you try if you, like the people listed above, were not afraid to fail? (question from the article)