Renee owns an photography studio and gallery in central Illinois. She has quite a bit of talent which keeps her in demand year round.

This week, a couple came in asking Renee for her services to do a photo shoot of their renewing of their wedding vows.

“Very cool,” I said. “How long have they been married?” I asked.

“Twenty-eight years,” she answered.

“Um…” I started.

“What?” Renee cut in. “What’s wrong?”

“Well, isn’t that like a TV show that runs 43 minutes?” I asked. “I mean, twenty-eight years? Not 25. Not 30. Is one of them terminally ill?” I asked without joking.

“I don’t know,” Renee said. “I’ll find out.”

She got back to me today.

The women, Renee told me, is 47 years old, and she just finished school receiving another degree. The woman’s husband was very proud of his wife, proud of all of the strength and perseverance she demonstrated to go back to school to improve her life.

“I figured since she’s made all of these changes, she deserves a new husband, too,” the man told Renee. “So I want to marry her again, this time as the new and improved version that she deserves.”

Renee told me that the man has made changes to better himself as a way of thanking his wife. He wants the ceremony to be the beginning of their “new life” together.

Don’t believe that you’re stuck with your life as it is today. Dream. Reach. Transform. If you believe yourself as too far gone or too old to (insert your fear here: Live? Love? Learn? Let go?…), then you limit your joy by limiting your potential.

Now GO! Get busy living or get busy dying, says Red in Shawshank Redemption.