Most people are familiar with the phrase attributed to George Eliot, “It’s never too late to become what we might have been.” Perhaps the phrase fueled a hope — until that birthday when the first half-dozen-or-so cake candles melted into a puddle before the final candle could be lit.

Everyone ages differently. It is common for people as young as 60 to begin losing confidence, according to a Harvard Medical School online article. The body changes. Life changes. Children move away and become busy with their own jobs and families. Or they don’t. This is a challenging economy for older adults. One in three are financially insecure, according to the National Council on Aging. Plus, it’s hard to launch young people when the cost of housing, insurance, utilities and food have increased and wages have not.

That’s not all. Health issues may come to the forefront in the 60s. Loved ones are lost. Even work may feel different. New research from AARP shows that six in 10 workers 50-plus have seen or experienced at least subtle forms of age discrimination at work. “Mature workers are facing a tougher job market. New jobs for those over the age of 55 are few and far between, and many people age 60 and older are hitting a solid barrier preventing them from getting hired,” according to a Forbes online article.

Like Janice Ackley said recently at a women’s luncheon when someone at her table talked about her eyesight and hearing was not what it once was.

“Well, at least my sense of humor is improving with age,” she said.

If the weight of disappointment that life didn’t turn out as expected has come to roost at an age that seems too late to do anything about it, take a little advice from a 68-year-old McNeese State University student who will graduate next year: “Stop thinking about what you don’t have and think about what you do.”

McNeese Cowgirl at 68

“I don’t know what happened,” said Raejean Clark. “I looked up, and all of a sudden I was 68.”

That’s a common expression among the 50-and-over crowd, more so among women. However, Clark is uncommonly upbeat for any age. She didn’t let a number stop her from pursuing her dream, getting an art degree from McNeese State University. To be certain, other numbers did present an obstacle. She was worried she couldn’t pass math, and at least one math class is necessary for all degree paths, even art.

“I told my professor — he’s in his 30s — I double-dog dare you to teach me math,” she said, adding that she is learning math, finally, and if she would have had a teacher like him in high school, she would have never become math-averse.

In 1974, when she was in college the first time, there was no online registration or Moodle (online learning platform at McNeese) to contend with.

On the plus side, the art major was happy to find out some of the credits she earned 50 years ago would be counted toward her major.

Clark also points out there are advantages to going to school at 68 versus 18.

“I was a loser student then,” she said. “Well, I was having a little fun. At that age, I was more worried about how cute I looked and the boys.”

Clark said she has seen older students, employees and volunteers do great work, often better than younger students, employees and volunteers because they have more time to learn the importance of responsibility.

While attending college, Clark fills in as a substitute teacher for the Calcasieu Parish School Board. Applying for the job was prompted in part by an empty nest. Her daughter and granddaughter live in England. Clark’s son lives in Houston. When friends would share stories of family coming over for Sunday dinner, it would make her feel a bit wistful.

More than the opportunity to bring in a little cash, substitute teaching also offered Clark the chance to become a surrogate “granny” and “teacher’s worst nightmare,” she said, passing out brownies and lemon bars to students and quietly doing things behind the scenes for some students.

“This job has brought a lot of joy into my life,” she said.

Social interaction, and especially spending time with children can have that effect, according to experts. It can give seniors purpose and can positively impact mood.

Her key to positivity at any age is to find the thing that adds purpose to life. She also chooses to focus on what she has instead of pining over what she does not.

“I have hot and cold water, a car,” she said. “I don’t have soldiers banging on my door.”

Clark can’t wait for her daughter and granddaughter to see her walk across the stage to get her diploma next year. If they see her going after her dreams despite challenges, it could help instill the same spirit in them.

“You’re never too old to pursue your dream,” she said, “as scary as it is, the really scary thing to me would be missing my chance.”

Pursuing lifelong dreams at Sowela

Kimberly Simon, 57, and Linda Allin, 52, are a little older than the average Sowela Technical Community College student. Nevertheless, they both agree they fit right in at the college where the mantra is “Student’s First.”

“The thing is, I don’t view myself as older,” Allin said. “I’m just a fellow student, and I’m learning a lot from them. My mind hasn’t been engaged like this for years.”

Dalene Hoffpauir, spokesperson for Sowela said the average age for students is 24.

“It’s not uncommon for our students to work one or multiple jobs, have families and other obligations. Faculties help them by putting course material online or recording lectures students can listen to while they taxi children around.”

Allin is one of those students balancing school, work and children. She home-schooled nine children for 19 years and four are still at home. One died in a tragic accident. Most have graduated college and are pursuing careers. One recently joined the U.S. Marines.

“I really wanted to do this for myself,” she said about her decision to attend Sowela for a drafting degree.

As a child, she enjoyed drawing fanciful houses and house plans. She is a first-generation American. Her father is Danish and her mother is Canadian and of Russian and German descent.

Now she is in her second year of the program, and has a new dream of one day working with an architect who loves the community.

“It’s never too late, and you’re never too old,” she said. “The hardest part is the first step. It’s all downhill from there.”

Simon had her doubts about pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse, but had no doubt that her passion and purpose is to take care of and help people.

“I have a big heart, compassion and empathy,” she said. “I want to be an advocate for the sick who may not have family to do so.”

Chief among her fears was passing the Accuplacer test. She was also experiencing the let-down she felt after visits to other college campuses.

“I felt like they didn’t take me seriously and were not helpful,” she said.

Simon said Sowela made it easy to register online and take the test. The staff made her feel like she belonged, and encouraged her.

“That definitely boosted my confidence,” she said.

Her advice for the 55 and older crowd — who might think it’s too late to go back to school, start an exercise class or make a new friend — is: “Follow your heart’s desire. I reached a time in my life that I could do what makes me happy, put myself first and I hope others are able to do the same. Believe in yourself.

“You can accomplish anything you put your mind to. Age is just a number. There is no limit on what we can accomplish at any age. Don’t hesitate. You’ll be so proud of yourself in the end.”