by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor
"The minute
you grow up, the minute you mentally atrophy and freeze in time, you are
old." Dick Clark
We lost another American icon this week with the passing
of Dick Clark. Clark known as “The World’s Oldest Teenager” died at the age of
82. Clark’s talents were great. He was constantly working on new projects. His
business partner said he was just beginning a new one when his health took a
turn for the worse.
Clark’s quote concerning intellectual atrophy, or the
diminishing power of the brain due to lack of use, was a concern to him. He
felt growing old was as much mental as physical. I have heard that age is mind
over matter; if you don’t mind it doesn’t matter. Apparently Clark felt an
active mind kept him young. Use it or lose it.
Believe it or not this is not a post on growing old or
the prevention of it but on the need for us to keep our minds busy and open to
new projects. With the ever changing social media, digital age and publishing
opportunities we must remain aware and open to these new projects as they
appear. Listen to your heart and think it over. What is next?
Spend time each day researching the opportunities out
there. Look for blogs, contest, seminars and conferences that could connect you
with what’s next for you. Continue to learn your craft and the nuts and bolts
of the business. My friend Byrd Baggett said, “Live each minute as if it will be
our last and learn as if we will live forever." The question is, if living
forever, why not forever young?
