Q: How has getting older shifted your perspective on what matters most?

A: “I’ve made enough mistakes to gain confidence. There’s not as much fear. [In our 50s,] we know what we want or what we don’t want, and that gives us ease and confidence about moving forward.”

—Actor Taye Diggs, 55, who spoke at an AARP-sponsored panel at the American Black Film Festival in May. Read more from the actor on authenticity and learning from mistakes at aarp.org/diggs