It’s Never Too Late To Begin
I’ve always been fascinated by karate & martial arts (thanks to Jennifer Lopez’ movie, Enough, where she learns kickboxing as self-defense and is just a total B.A.) It’s something that I always wanted to learn, but was never athletic enough to try. Embarking on a journey to better my health over the last year has piqued my interest even more, so I’ve started taking karate lessons, and this week, I earned my very first belt!
Initially, there was part of me that felt a little ridiculous taking this activity up as a grown woman, when there are seven year olds in class who could totally kick my butt. And it would have been easy to let that mindset keep me from giving this a try.
But, if there’s one thing that I’ve learned throughout this process of taking control of my health, it’s that it is NEVER too late to begin. Whether it’s getting healthy, learning a new sport or activity, or even going back to school to earn a degree, it is NEVER too late to begin.
My late grandfather loved polka music. He always had it playing, and he was always particularly fascinated by the accordion. He was 81 years old with no musical training, and he really wanted to learn how to play. So, he persuaded my Grandmother to buy him an accordion, and this 81-year old man began taking lessons every week. It brought him SO much joy. From the time he started at 81 years old, until the time he passed away at 89 years old, he practiced and played every day. It is NEVER too late to begin.
My grandpa never became a virtuoso on the accordion, and I may never become a Karate Kid, but one thing we BOTH achieved: overcoming the notion that bettering yourself is limited to your age or circumstances.
If there’s something that you’ve always wanted to do, but feel like life and time have passed you by, I’m here to tell you that you CAN do it! Health, playing an instrument, getting an education, learning a new sport…whatever it is, remember that it is NEVER too late to begin.
