How much potential do we really have? Is there a point in life when we can just say, "I've reached my limits, that's all I can do?" Or, can we continue to grow?

I heard a couple of weeks ago about Marion Jacobson, who just published her second children's book. So, what's so unusual about that? Plenty of people write books. Yes, and lots of people want to write a book, but never do.

Marion finished her second book at the tender age of 85.

Verne Oliver joined the Gilder Foundation as its associate director, using its grants to create or renovate more than 100 elementary school media centers across New York City. Right now, Oliver is putting the finishing touches on two school libraries. She joined the Gilder Foundation when she retired in 1987 and at age 85 is still doing what she loves!

Then there's Lillian Cox, of Tallahassee, Florida. She must really have places to go and people to see. Perhaps that's why she renewed her drives license last month at age 101.

Now I'm not saying that you should write a book or drive a car at age 100. Although I know there are people who say you can! And while Marion may not make the best sellers list, and Lillian will never drive at the Indy 500, they are still living life!

As long as you are alive there are things that you can learn and things you can do! You can learn and grow; you can reach out, discover and expand your life! When the famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright was asked near the end of his career which of his buildings was his favorite, he replied, "My next one!"

On the other hand, many people have just stopped living and are doing little more than existing. They have become complacent and are just settling for the way life is. They lack excitement and enthusiasm for life.

Far too many people have stopped hoping and dreaming. Although that is what they have chosen to do, it doesn't mean that they have run out of potential.

A lot of people today really believe that their best days are behind them. That is what they choose to believe. But why not expect that your best days are in front of you? Thinking that way is also a choice. The Creator gave us free will to think whichever way we choose to think. The startling reality is that we will reap the results of those choices.

One of the reasons people have chosen to stop dreaming is because of past failures or disappointments. Because of what happened in the past, they are afraid of doing or trying anything new. They just play it safe, stay comfortable and settle.

The truth is that many, many successful people have had many, many disappointments. But they refused to carry a failure mind set. They just continued to reach forth to another new endeavor. It's a good thing Abraham Lincoln didn't stop living life after a disappointment or two, or three, or four!

Many people pray to God and ask for help to open doors. But seldom do they get up and grab the doorknob to see if it opens! If they do, and it doesn't open, then they give up.

Don't give up, try another door!

If you are reading this article then your life is not over! There are things to discover; there are things to learn. What about the things that you never dreamed you could do? You can do them! What are you waiting for?

The only valid limits that you have in your life are the ones that you have accepted.

Just ask George Dawson who had his book published at age 101 titled, "Life is So Good." Before he wrote his book, George decided he'd better learn to read first, so he took an adult literacy class when he was 98 years old! He got his GED at the age of 103.