Just to confirm that I practice what I write here, I share some of my own experiences from time to time. Today I am going to share my experience with learning to dance. One of my friends agreed to take five private lessons with me to learn how to ballroom dance. She is 69 years old, but you would never guess her age by looking at her or by her actions. She is a young 69 years old.
We signed up for the five lessons and although the lessons were private we took them together with two instructors. Neither of us knew much about ballroom dancing prior to the first lesson. Let me tell you it was fun! We both had aches and pains, but we didn't let that stop us. My bad knee, her bad shoulders and back, neither stopped us from having a good time. At the end of the lessons, we were happy that we tried and felt good. We had a fun time together. No one got hurt and we lived to see another wonderful day. (LOL)
The instructors were super nice and patient. They were encouraging also and not in a condescending way. They were inspired by our willingness to try. They also confided in us that there were others in our age group that took lessons there. That was encouraging to us. We messed up – a lot – and no one laughed at us, they laughed with us, it was funny. We didn't know how to dance, we signed up to learn, so therefore, we made mistakes. Don't let the fear of making mistakes keep you from trying something new.
When I write about getting a life and living it, I mean it. You don't have to take dancing lessons, but you can go to the local park and sit while watching the children play or the birds eat or whatever else is going on there. You don't have to limit yourself to the walls of your home. There are so many wonderful and fun things to do for every ability and age.
The point is this, don't sit and let life pass you by. One day, you may be physically unable to do those things you always wanted to do. Those things you wanted to do, but always had an excuse for not doing. Do them now while you still can. If you can't do all of what you want, do what you can and then rethink it. Make it something happen. Get up and get out and at least try.
If you're not into dancing, try bowling, golfing, or tennis. If sports are not your thing, how about a book club that meets regularly at the library? How about volunteering for the Red Cross, Hospice, Meals on Wheels, the animal shelter, the hospital, the local school, or any other organization that may need volunteers. How about joining for starting a card club – Bridge, Poker, Canasta, Dominoes, Hearts, Spades, Uno, Rook, any card game. If you enjoy the arts, start a quilting bee club, a painting club, a crafts group, a knitting or crochet group, start anything or join anything that has to do with the thing you love to do!
Not only will you meet others who enjoy the things you enjoy, you may even learn a new shortcut, technique, pattern, or some other new thing. You'll begin to look forward to these meetings and groups. You form new friendships. It will keep you young!
When was the last time you did something completely new to you? When was the last time you stepped out of your 'comfort zone' and tried something uncomfortable but fun? Do you let the fear of mistakes prevent you from doing new things?
XOXO
We signed up for the five lessons and although the lessons were private we took them together with two instructors. Neither of us knew much about ballroom dancing prior to the first lesson. Let me tell you it was fun! We both had aches and pains, but we didn't let that stop us. My bad knee, her bad shoulders and back, neither stopped us from having a good time. At the end of the lessons, we were happy that we tried and felt good. We had a fun time together. No one got hurt and we lived to see another wonderful day. (LOL)
The instructors were super nice and patient. They were encouraging also and not in a condescending way. They were inspired by our willingness to try. They also confided in us that there were others in our age group that took lessons there. That was encouraging to us. We messed up – a lot – and no one laughed at us, they laughed with us, it was funny. We didn't know how to dance, we signed up to learn, so therefore, we made mistakes. Don't let the fear of making mistakes keep you from trying something new.
When I write about getting a life and living it, I mean it. You don't have to take dancing lessons, but you can go to the local park and sit while watching the children play or the birds eat or whatever else is going on there. You don't have to limit yourself to the walls of your home. There are so many wonderful and fun things to do for every ability and age.
The point is this, don't sit and let life pass you by. One day, you may be physically unable to do those things you always wanted to do. Those things you wanted to do, but always had an excuse for not doing. Do them now while you still can. If you can't do all of what you want, do what you can and then rethink it. Make it something happen. Get up and get out and at least try.
If you're not into dancing, try bowling, golfing, or tennis. If sports are not your thing, how about a book club that meets regularly at the library? How about volunteering for the Red Cross, Hospice, Meals on Wheels, the animal shelter, the hospital, the local school, or any other organization that may need volunteers. How about joining for starting a card club – Bridge, Poker, Canasta, Dominoes, Hearts, Spades, Uno, Rook, any card game. If you enjoy the arts, start a quilting bee club, a painting club, a crafts group, a knitting or crochet group, start anything or join anything that has to do with the thing you love to do!
Not only will you meet others who enjoy the things you enjoy, you may even learn a new shortcut, technique, pattern, or some other new thing. You'll begin to look forward to these meetings and groups. You form new friendships. It will keep you young!
When was the last time you did something completely new to you? When was the last time you stepped out of your 'comfort zone' and tried something uncomfortable but fun? Do you let the fear of mistakes prevent you from doing new things?
XOXO
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