Courage Quote by Neil Gaiman
““I don’t ever remember being afraid of “oldness”. There are things I miss about being younger - chiefly the ability to pull all-nighters and keep working and working well; and being smiled at by girls I didn’t know who thought I was cute; and I wish I had the eyesight I had even five years ago… but that stuff feels pretty trivial. I’m happier than I’ve been at any time in my life these days. I have a wonderful wife whom I adore, watched three amazing kids grow into two delightful adults and my favourite teenager, an astonishing number of grand life experiences, I’ve made art I’m proud of, I have real, true, glorious friends, and I’ve been able to do real good for things I care about, like freedom of speech, like libraries. Sometimes I’ll do something like An Evening With Neil and Amanda, or the 8 in 8 project, and completely surprise myself. I miss friends who have died, but then, I’m glad that time gave them to me, to befriend, even for a while, and that I was alive to know them. I knew Douglas Adams, and I knew Roger Zelazny, and I knew John M Ford, and I knew Diana Wynne Jones… do you know how lucky that makes me? Ah, I’m rabbiting on, and I sound a bit more Pollyannaish than I’m intending to sound: I know the downside of age and the downside of time, and I am sure that the view from age 51 is not the view from age 71. I wish the time hadn’t gone so fast, though. And sometimes I wish I’d enjoyed it more on the way, and worried about it less.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Guardian, 2022
A reflective meditation on aging, gratitude, and the richness of a life filled with love, creativity, and meaningful connections.
In simple terms: Aging brings both loss and deep appreciation for relationships and achievements.
Embrace each stage, cherish relationships, and keep creating.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- creative projects
- public speaking
- community service
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you honor past relationships while staying present?
- What small daily practices keep you feeling youthful?
Age can bring physical decline and regret over missed moments.