Is It Ever Too Late to Become What You Should Have Become?

From the earliest days of my infancy, I was deeply influenced by the vibrant beats and melodies of Bollywood and American pop culture. Their music was my constant companion, a powerful source of inspiration to dance and express my feelings. Over the years, I honed a set of innate skills: I could perceive the rhythm of music in a way most others couldn't, I was creative and could devise meaningful and entertaining moves, and I had the physical flexibility and grace to perform them with elegance. My skills extended to my ability to convey emotion through facial expressions, which made my performances stand out among the crowd. I was a shining star in my friend groups, schools, and even in college, where I was often chosen as the lead dancer and to choreograph performances.

Dancing was not just a hobby, but a passionate pursuit that I wanted to turn into a career. When I joined a ballroom dance class for the first time, I was so good that I was quickly picked as the instructor for all the classes. Over 16 years, I joyfully danced and entertained countless audiences, bringing joy and inspiration through my performances. However, at the age of 32, everything changed. I joined a religious organization that discouraged dancing and music, declaring them a waste of time and potential pathways to sin. Despite my initial convictions, I found myself complying with their teachings out of a false sense of bravery and discipline. I restricted my movements, stifled my desires for dance, and even detested music to justify my decision to myself. This decision became a turning point in my life, leading to a stark transformation in who I was and what I could do.

Twelve long years elapsed, during which I gave up on my dancing and creative aspirations. By the end of this period, I had not only lost the technical skills and physical grace that I once possessed but also a part of my identity. My authenticity was eroded, and I found myself physically uncoordinated and emotionally disconnected from my former self. The memories of my dance moves were so vivid that even a simple attempt to mimic them brought me to the brink of tears. I also lost the ability to think creatively, for when inspiration struck, the melody seemed foreign and strange, a far cry from what it once was. Every time I tried to dance, be it entertaining friends or in a public setting, the results were far from satisfactory. I looked awkward, my expressions were off, and my performances were met with criticism and disappointment. The pangs of regret were so profound that even now, 12 years later, I can still feel the pain of my decision.

It is undeniable that one can be too late to pursue a passion once lost, but it is never too late to seek redemption and recovery. While I can no longer dance with the grace and skill I once had, and my physical aptitude is now limited, I still harbor the desire to reclaim what was lost. I can still dance, but only in the quiet of my room, and it is a solitary and often melancholic experience. It is a reminder of what I lost, rather than a source of joy. However, the importance of this pursuit goes beyond just regaining physical skills; it is about rejuvenating the spirit and soul, rediscovering one's purpose, and understanding the long-term consequences of giving up on one's passions.

So the answer to the question is a resounding yes: it can be too late to become what you should have become. The greatest loss is not the time or the skills, but the person you used to be and the joy found in your passions. It is never too late to look back, learn from your past, and strive to reclaim a part of yourself that was once lost. The journey may be challenging, but it is a path worth tread when one realizes the immense value of their true passions.

Keywords: late career change, pursued passion, recover lost skills