I think it’s because older people are more aware of their mortality. Like Mark Twain said, nothing focuses a man’s mind better than the prospect of being hanged in the morning. Do you feel it? That sense that the clock is ticking, and damn the rules, you’re gonna go for it, whatever “it” is. A hobby, a new career, moving to a cave in the desert to think without distractions.
All my life, I’ve had three dreams: write, play the piano, and learn Spanish. But a few years ago, I decided I’ll never do the last two, and that’s okay. A person can only do so much, I rationalized. I’m happy without them.
But then, right around Thanksgiving, the Impulse Fairy visited me.
On the spur of the moment, I threw a Hail Mary missive to our neighborhood network: any piano teachers out there? And one responded. Pianist Dave Tuvim laughed when I said I feared I was too old to learn. He has another novice student who’s 17 years older than me.
So now, I’m learning to read and play music. It’s so incredibly exciting and frustrating, in equal measure. Dave says to be patient, that I’m learning a new language.
I know what you’re thinking.
¿Cuándo vas a aprender a hablar español ?
My granddaughter on my new keyboard
I’m not the only one blooming. My friend, Sepi, who is my age, just wrote me this:
I have picked up Ballroom and Argentine Tango dancing. It seems I am really good at it and progressing rather quickly. I have done three shows and people enjoyed very much. I absolutely enjoy this hobby….I hope one day, I make it to the Ballroom competitions. I pray that I find a great dance partner! Also, traveled to Cuba, Spain, France and Italy and enjoyed taking ballroom classes in each of the cities. Pretty fun!
Sepi Richardson, former mayor of Brisbane, CA, and now, Tango fanatic.
Ray Strait, Author
A friend of mine began piano lessons in her early 60s. She loves it. Plays every day. In addition to the beauty of the music, she’s seen health benefits (she’s a leukemia survivor).
Thanks for that, Joyce. I just found out that another friend, in her early 80s, started last year. It’s like we’re all saying, “If not now, when?” Best wishes to you and your friend.
Dear Lynne,
Imagine that I woke up ready to write my first blog of 2016. My husband handed me my glasses and a cup of au lait (He’s the best.) and as he left to walk the dog, I reached for my laptop to write before any other influence touched my mind.
As I opened WordPress, the first thing I saw was “At 61, I’ve Never Felt So Powerful or Motivated” and had to rub the sleep out of my eyes.
My first thought was: When did I do that draft? (Oh good, I already started.)
My second thought was: Wait, (though) I will be 61 in six months, I’m still 60. Why did I jump ahead?
Then I read your words.
Thanks for crystallizing some of my thoughts for me! I made decisions this past year that have left me more excited about going forward rather than “accepting” the aging process.
Now I need to finish my own thoughts! Happy 2016! ~ Gayla
Gayla, your comment made me laugh. I’m glad we’re so much on the same page. Isn’t it amazing to get to this age and find out that, instead of being sad and baggy, we’re — okay, still maybe baggy but so energized I’m not getting enough sleep at night because I can’t stay in bed in the morning. Want to get up and get going! I’ll have to work on that sleep thing, but it sure is an exciting time of life. Whooda thought? Best wishes with your screenwriting, and I look forward to more visiting.
Interesting post. I will be turning 60 in a little less than 3 months. It is hard to describe how I feel about it. The past couple of years have brought life-altering changes. I haven’t decided to take up piano lessons again (had to take them as a kid) but decided to learn Spanish. Super easy and free to do thanks to the Internet. There are lots of videos to chose from. Most importantly have decided to just have fun whatever I chose to learn next.
Piano!! That is great. I tried it once when I was in my 40’s and really enjoyed it but never got any good and could only play one song that was recognizable. Hope all is well with you, my friend. Happy New Year. Judy
Thanks for the kick in the butt, Lynne! I am turning 60 in two weeks and also feel a large digital clock over my head, ticking down. As we know, we are now in the “youth of old age,” so we’d better get a move on! Reminds me…I’ve always wanted to learn how to play African drums and tap dance… Enjoy it all! Spanish is really fun and, oh, the food!
You’re welcome, Leslie. I thought turning 50 was pretty special but this is richer still. The thought of losing something makes it more precious, and if we’re ever more aware of our mortality, at least it sharpens our appreciation too. Feliz Ano Nuevo!
Hi Leslie!
You mentioned wanting to learn to tap dance…DO IT! I started tap dancing classes at age 50, and I LOVE IT! A few years later I began taking clogging classes and found I loved clogging MORE than tap dancing. So I dance two nights a week, and at age 66, I don’t see myself stopping in the near future. And YES…we dance in the recitals in the spring. It’s exhilarating, healthy and just plain FUN!
EnJOY!
Sue Shoemaker
Terrific!
Thanks, Lisa. Happy New Year!
Welcome back, Lynne! I was reading BIG MAGIC by Elizabeth Gilbert last night, and I got to the part where she talks about it never being too late to begin creative endeavors. Then she tells the story of a widow named Winifred, who at the age of 80, “…began studying the history of ancient Mesopotamia, and it became my passion, and let me tell you—it has totally changed my life.” Liz goes on to say, “For me, at the age of twenty-five, to hear a ninety-year-old widow speak of having her life changed by passion (and so recently!) was a revelation. It was one of those moments where I could almost feel my perspective expanding, as if my mind were being ratcheted open several notches and was now welcoming in all sorts of new possibilities for what a woman’s life could look like.” So, your “new” endeavors not only help you to feel “powerful or motivated”…you are inspiring and enCOURAGEing others in ways you cannot even begin to IMAGINE! Thanks!
Hi, thanks for your kind words but can you give me a name? I appreciate your comment but feel kind of odd not knowing who I’m talking with! Thanks.
Oops! Sue Shoemaker here…again.
Sue, that was you? Ha ha, I’m sorry, I treated you like a stalker. But thanks for the welcome back! It’s great to be back with my buddies again. HNY!!
Happy New Year, Lynne! I’ve been “Anonymous” here more than once! Talk about feeling “invisible”…haha! It only happens when I respond on my PC…my iPad does a better job of providing my name and making me look less “stalker-ish.” It’s great to have you back!
Looks like you are doing all three—judging from that little phrase in Spanish. Each one of your goals is sustainable for many years. That’s wise, since you have many years to go! Congratulations on a great start!
Diane, there’s a special joy in doing a thing you’ve pined after for so long. I love practicing piano! Spanish on top of everything seems daunting but I swear, I’m going to do it. Not right away–I don’t want to burn out–but maybe in 2017 (dang, can you believe those numbers?!) Happy New Year!
You go, girl! I’m applauding you from here in Maine…
Roxanne, you gave me a shot that started me on the path of my first dream: writing for publication. When I was about 50, I wanted to freelance (but not for free! I wanted to be paid, and make a second career of it). You interviewed me to write for Palm Desert Magazine. At the end of our interview, I hugged you. I was so excited I almost cried. PDM paid me for my writing! I still have every one of the issues in which my articles appeared. And, having been paid, I qualified for membership in Palm Springs Pen Women, a gathering of published and working writers. This lifted me further. But once you left the mag, so did I, and I changed course to fiction. I will always be grateful to you for the start. Happy New Year!
Love it. I’ve been thinking about painting lessons or learning to play bridge, again.
Walker, take the plunge. I never figured on the joy I would feel from just simply DOING it. As if I thought I could, as if I had ever planned on dying without trying! There is an almost otherworldly sense of pride/relief in realizing I dodged that bullet: that I almost missed my chance in this lifetime. Report back. Happy New Year!
My BFF and I went out for New Years Eve tonight and on the drive home we were talking about this very thing! I’ve just turned 57, and find now that I accept my body the size it is, and I dress in trendy clothing, nothing too young, but fashionable. I go out dancing every weekend with a large group of friends, and wear tank tops that show my arms with their flabby skin. I don’t care anymore! I’d rather be cool and comfortable when I’m dancing.
You’re right about thinking of your own mortality. We don’t get any do-overs so we’ve got to make these years the best we can. I’ve had more fun in the past 6 months than I’ve had in the last 10 years!
Nancy, THAT is the SPIRIT!!! And it’s so accessible (almost threw in some more caps, I can hardly contain my exuberance!!! Oops, there go the exclamation points again!!) You are a testament to this feeling: it’s there, it’s available to us, and we spurn that joy and freedom at our own risk. I said earlier that life is for the living, but also: life is to be loved. Thanks for sharing your story, and PS? Aretha went sleeveless and she got a standing O. https://youtu.be/5RIgeu-6Jcs