By GREGORY SMITH
Business Columnist

My 85 year-old grandmother has a positive attitude and an adventurous spirit.

Myrtie Rawlins says she is willing try anything at least once. With that attitude we began an adventure flying in a WW I airplane high above Atlanta, Georgia.

Mrs. Rawlins does not like to stay home and she loves to travel. Her octogenarian friends think she is crazy. They really thought she lost her mind when she went riding in a hot air balloon last year.

This Christmas I wanted to get her something special. A present she would really enjoy-something fun and different. Now Mrs. Rawlins, is the last person to buy Channel No. 5 for, so I bought her a plane trip. Not in a commercial airline, but in one of those old-fashioned, two-seater, open-cockpit planes.

It looks like one of those planes Snoopy flies when he goes off to fight the Red Baron.

Mrs. Rawlins started preparing for this flight a week ahead of time. She started telling all her friends she was going flying. They in return, started giving her advice like, "Now Myrtie, you know you are 85 years old, you need to act your age." "What would you do if that airplane crashes?" Mrs. Rawlins wasn't going to let the naysayers stop her. The day of the trip she went out and got her hair done, so if the plane crashed, she was at least going to have clean hair.

Well she hopped in that plane, buckled up, put on the leather headset, headphones and the pilot lifted her off Peachtree Dekalb airport as fearless as one could be. Amelia Earheardt reincarnated. Mrs. Roll's example of living speaks advice to each of us.

Don't Die Before You Are Dead- There are people of all ages who quit living and give up. I am blessed with a family, no matter how bad their bodies hurt, keep going. My wifeÌs grandmother worked 5 days a week until she was 84 years old. Her arthritis was so bad and painful that she could not straighten her back.

Despite this crippling problem, she did the work of two people never asking for help. CathyÌs dad lost both legs, and is on dialysis four times a day.

Throughout this ordeal, six months in and out of the hospital, nine different surgeries, he never gave up and now is enjoying living at home once again.

Have Fun and Enjoy Life-I spent many years in the military living overseas.

Living overseas was sometimes challenging, different and in most places they didn't speak our language. I was always frustrated by many of the military families who were afraid to leave their house, never venturing outside the gates into the real world. They had this "bunker mentality," were miserable making their spouses miserable as well. Not us. We went everywhere we could go; anywhere our car could carry us. We ate the local food, drank the local brew, and had a great time.

Surround Yourself With Crazy People- When I say "crazy" people, I am not talking about lunatics, but sane people who go against the norms. Sometimes the people closest to us can be the most discouraging. You need to have one or two crazy people to challenge you, to keep you motivated, to give you encouragement, to make you feel alive.

You Can't Take It With You-So Spend it Now- This isn't Mrs. Rawlin's advice, but maybe more of mine. I love those bumper stickers that say, "I am spending my children's inheritance." The fact is, those "golden years" we used to hear about may never come. Enjoy life when you can, don't wait until it is too late. Plan a couple of trips each year. Before we could afford to stay in hotels, we went camping in a tent with our kids. We had a great time and our family is that much stronger for it.

This past year, we went to Asheville and stayed in the Grove Park Inn the week before Christmas. What a wonderful time to see all the decorations and feel the holiday spirit alive in the hotel and our hearts. I think we will start a new family tradition and take the family somewhere the week before Christmas from here on out.

Never Too Old to Try Something New-I have so many goals and dreams left to accomplish. I plan on digging out my old Army paratrooper wings and go parachuting again. I want to take my kids scuba diving in the Caribbean Sea.

We all want to go on another missionary trip to help other people who are not as fortunate as us. I have at least four more books to write. No matter our age, remember we are never too old to try something new.

[Free by e-mail/fax: If you would like a free subscription to the Navigator newsletter please fax us your letterhead or E-mail us at 770-760-0581/greg@chartcourse.com.

Gregory P. Smith, author of The New Leader, and How to Attract, Keep and Motivate Your Workforce. He speaks at conferences, leads seminars and helps organizations solve problems. He leads an organization called Chart Your Course International located in Conyers, Georgia. Phone him at (770)860-9464 or send an email at greg@chartcourse.com. More information and articles are available at www.chartcourse.com.]

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