Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
June 13, 2001
Adventurous seniors show it's never too late
Lives of late bloomers examples to all ages on how to achieve success
After several years of trying to persuade grocers to carry his new brand of popcorn called "Red Bow,'' the 63-year-old creator was deeply discouraged, wondering whether he was pursing a foolish dream.
Were his many years of researching, cultivating and perfecting the new, better popping corn leading him to a marketing dead end?
Whenever he approached retailers, their comments always seemed to center on the fact that there were more than 80 different brands of popcorn on the market and that there certainly wasn't room for another costing two and a half times as much.
Yet, as a committed Christian and a life-long Sunday school teacher, he, in his discouragement, turned to Scripture for guidance. Thumbing through the pages of the Bible, he came across these words: "For it is by wise guidance that you wage your war, and the victory is due to a wealth of counselors'' (Prv 24.6).
Those words prompted him to seek the name of a good marketing company to seek guidance.
After describing his new popping corn to the copywriters at the Chicago marketing firm, they recommended the product be marketed with his own name as "Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn'' and that his picture should be featured on the label.
Still uncertain about their advice, Redenbacher decided to test market their idea. He approached the largest retailer in the Midwest — Marshall Field's department store in Chicago — sending a case of the newly labeled product to the home of the manager of their seventh-floor gourmet food department.
A month later, the store agreed to stock it.
Thirty years later, Orville Redenbacher's product is the best-selling popcorn in the world.
However, his success began as he was reaching the age when most people think about retiring. Although he could be called a late bloomer, Orville Redenbacher and many others like him are living proof that it's never too late to start an adventure.
Here are some principles which can help you achieve success at any age.
•Begin by remembering you're never too old to succeed. Attitude is ageless. Our attitudes are capable of determining whether we will go forward or retreat, continue on or quit, remain open to new opportunities or remain frozen in the past.
•Motivate yourself by reviewing the lives of people who accomplished great things later in life. History is filled with "old'' people who were called and answered that call, including:
—Abraham, whom God called to be Israel's first great leader, was 75 when he began his mission.
—Winston Churchill, who became British prime minister for the first time at age 65, assuming the epic struggle against Nazi Germany.
—Cardinal Angelo Roncalli, who became Pope John XXIII at the age of 76 and inaugurated major changes in the Catholic Church through the Second Vatican Council.
—Grandma Moses, who started painting in her late 70s and who had her first one-woman exhibit when she was 80.
—Sadie and Bessie Delany, who wrote their first book, "The Delany Sisters Book of Everyday Wisdom,'' a best-seller, when they were 105 and 103, respectively.
•Let the example of such individuals remind you that your best years may still lie ahead of you.
•Follow your dreams. By being true to your highest aspirations, you will ensure that you maximize your opportunities and minimize your obstacles.
•Seek divine guidance. As you consider taking on a new challenge, ask God's blessings on your endeavor. If your journey becomes difficult, remember God's promise: "Even to your old age I am the same, even when your hair is gray I will bear you; It is I who have done this, I who will continue, and I who will carry you to safety'' (Is 46.4).
•Maintain a sense of humor, the best antidote when things don't work out just the way we expect and life becomes discouraging. The ability to laugh at one's self and circumstances ensures not taking one's self too seriously as well as pushes back feelings of depression and makes room for creativity and commitment.
•Finally, as you continue on life's adventures, remember to practice perseverance.
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