My dad encouraged us to fail. Growing up he would ask us what we failed at that week. If we didn't have something he would be disappointed. It changed my mindset at an early age that failure is not the outcome failure is not trying. Don't be afraid to fail.

And in my own life in my own small way I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us - no matter what our age or background or walk of life - each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.

No matter what age you are or what your circumstances might be you are special and you still have something unique to offer. Your life because of who you are has meaning.

Age is something that doesn't matter unless you are a cheese.

No one can avoid aging but aging productively is something else.

As I approve of a youth that has something of the old man in him so I am no less pleased with an old man that has something of the youth. He that follows this rule may be old in body but can never be so in mind.