It's Never Too Late—Just Ask Toni Morrison

Why is it a happy day? Because I got Beyoncé tickets without having to sell an organ—and just as exciting, this last week marked the birthdays of two literary luminaries I deeply admire—Toni Morrison and Audre Lorde—both born on February 18th. If you've been reading my posts for a while, you know how often their words find their way here.

While I have a deep and abiding love for Audre Lorde, this year, I've been thinking a lot about Toni Morrison—because one of the most frequent questions I get as a coach is: Is it too late?

Is it too late to start over?

To pivot?

To change?

To follow a dream I've put on hold?

And my answer is always the same: No. If you still have breath in your body, it is not too late. 

Toni Morrison is proof of this. At 39, as a single mother raising two children, she published her first novel, The Bluest Eye. She once said she wrote the book she wanted to read because it didn't exist. And in doing so, she not only changed the literary landscape—becoming the first Black woman to win a Nobel Prize in 1993—but also deeply shaped my own understanding of identity, society, and what it means to move through the world as a Black woman.

I often wonder—what would the world be like if there had been no Toni Morrison? If she had believed the lie that “It's too late”? Her words have had an indelible impact on me, and I know I'm far from alone in that.

While we may not all be called to literary greatness, we are all called to something. Each of us has a purpose, a gift that only we can uniquely give to the world. And that purpose? It matters—not just for our own fulfillment, but because the world needs it.

So whether you're 39, 49, or 89, if you're still here, it's not too late. Purpose does not have an expiration date.

If you're at a crossroads and wondering what's next, let's talk. Coaching can provide clarity, confidence, and a roadmap for your next steps. Book a discovery call and let's explore the gifts you're uniquely designed to bring into the world.

And if coaching isn't on your mind right now, I'd still love to hear from you. Write in the comments and let me know: Who is your favorite author? And what's a quote from them that's stuck with you?