Old dog…
Way back in the 1500’s an English gentleman named Fitzherbert published a treatise on animal husbandry. He wrote that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, or something similar in the vernacular of the day. Five hundred years later you can still hear people say these words. Beyond the fact that it’s pretty impressive it’s stuck around that long, it’s also interesting to look at the words in their current context.
If you google the words you’ll read about the modern intent of the words and that they refer to getting someone else to change how they act. Recently I’ve heard them in the first person. As in, I am not going to change how I see X or how I do Y. This past week has been crazy busy for me, particularly in terms of work. At our company the fiscal year ends on 31 August and this year it’s meant we had a full week of scrambling to complete our projects, our yearly goals and our “to do” lists. I told a co-worker it was kind of nice to have the whole week followed by a long weekend. We’ll start our new fiscal year fresh with our return to work next week. The end of our fiscal year is also the end of summer for school children and their parents. This Labour Day weekend often feels like a last hoorah before the routine starts again. Thinking about routine is how I got to, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. I’ve seen different articles about habits and routines, especially with the return to school. Some say it takes two weeks of doing a new habit for it to stick, others say up to a month.
Regardless of how long it takes, there is agreement that a “new trick” is possible. I’m actively planning my retirement. I want to make sure that I go into that new adventure with a plan. The plan is going to change and I’ll have different considerations over the course of my later years but ultimately I want to make sure I’m prepared. Part of that is thinking about new ideas and challenges. A friend of my parents’ did not embrace a new adventure at retirement, didn’t keep moving, didn’t engage in the world and passed away far too young. I’m sure there was more to his passing than that but it’s struck a cord with me - you have to be willing to engage and participate in your own life, and to create something perfect for you in retirement.
It is never too late. For what? Almost anything. How often do you see a social media post or news article about a senior that went back to school. Every year there’s another story of someone in their 80’s or 90’s getting a degree. It’s inspiring, especially when they share the reason it didn’t happen years ago. I have such a love of school and education that these stories make me smile and appreciate their dedication to learning. When I start thinking about the future, I naturally think of education and how we all have so much more to learn. In fact, I think it’s one of our world’s issues right now - there isn’t enough respect for gaining knowledge. We can find whatever we want on an online search engine. Why take on school or formal training when it’s right there at our fingertips. We’ve lost so much respect for experts. However, that’s a whole other blog!
Today’s blog is about the adventures available to us right outside our front doors. It’s never too late to learn something new, whether it’s a craft from a local social group, a subject you didn’t take time for in school like geography or history, or a sport that interests you like kayaking, or…the list can go on and on. There are limits, of course. We are to some extent tied to our physical capabilities [although you only have to watch a little of the 2024 Paris Paralympics to know those limits can be pushed successfully] and we can definitely be limited by money if our interests are pricey.
It’s never too late to finish what you started. As I look forward to retirement I’ve had to accept that I will not accomplish everything I want in this house beforehand. Actually, it’s been really good for me to look at it a little differently and recognize that some of those projects will be perfect in retirement! A newly quiet wintertime might be an excellent time to choose colours for my remaining rooms and getting that painting done.
It’s never too late to travel. Okay, some travel might be difficult at certain stages in aging but there’s always that village just down the road or family member you haven’t seen in a while that’s only a train ride away. Years ago when my son was young our city had a get to know your own backyard initiative and it was a brilliant way to get outside of your own neighbourhood and see all the city had to offer. There were free entries to museums and tourist attractions and it was a cheaper vacation right at home! I’ve started a retirement travel list. I want to take the time to go places that have long been on my bucket list and find new destinations that will really speak to me. I’ve joined a travel group on Facebook that is teaching me about areas of the world I rarely, if ever, think of and I can’t wait to start planning my first trip!
It’s never too late to find the you of today. Each stage of our lives bring out different elements of us. Now that I’m closing in on retirement I’m discovering the me of today is significantly different than the me of twenty years ago. I’ll always be a mom. That joy, pride, worry, and love will never change. I’ll always be a daughter and a sister and I’ll also be some of the other me’s that are coming out. The me who is finally climbing out of the need for isolation and appreciating time spent with people. I’ll never go back to the social butterfly I once was (I don’t think) and that’s okay. I’ve grown a lot in the last couple of years and am slowly becoming more willing to engage with people. I enjoy being in person more now than in the last few years. While I rediscovered my introverted self, I’m now finding a happy balance between the world outside and my quiet existence.
It’s never too late to volunteer and give back to your community. I think that’s one of the strongest messages I hear when talking to those who are retired. Keep active. Keep moving. Keep using your brain. GIVE BACK! That seems to be the biggest of the messages. I’ve always enjoyed volunteering and contributing to a greater good. Lately, though, my busy schedule is impacting my energy to do a lot outside of my paying job. I do bits and pieces and try to support the different initiatives in which I believe but I am really looking forward to having more time to give.
It’s never to late to take care of yourself. That’s a really tough one for some people. I have a good friend who recently found herself in a “forced” slow down. More than that, is that she has to take care of her injured body. That means not going full tilt physically at everything in her calendar. It means she may not be able to do everything that she had planned - at least not for a few weeks. I would imagine it’s driving her crazy. She’s used to putting everyone before herself. I think it will be a great lesson for her to have to put herself first for a change. It will be an opportunity for her to see how much better she is when she does take care. I think it’s something we all need to do. I know I’ve mentioned this before but it’s worth repeating. On an aircraft when the safety demonstration is on pay attention. You are always told to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others. Why? Because if you don’t you won’t be in good enough shape to help anyone else. It’s really as simple as that and we’re never too old to learn that lesson.
It’s never too late to move. Take a walk. Breathe in the air surrounding you. Smile at the people you meet. Walk to your coffee shop. Park your car a little further from the mall. Take a walk around your neighbourhood. Breathe deeply. Take note of the smells from the rain, the scents of the flowers, the yeasty smell coming from your bakery. Look around as you’re walking. Take in the changes from a summer of yard work, the difference of the sun in September, the quicker arrival of nighttime. Soak it up.
It’s never too late to say you’re sorry. Make amends when you’ve hurt someone. Regardless of the other person’s reaction, it will start your own healing. Apologize to yourself. When we make mistakes that result in hurt, it’s not only someone else we impact. We hurt ourselves, too. Forgive yourself.
It’s never too late to take time for joy. It can be sitting on your porch listening to the rain on your tin roof. Maybe it’s going on a rollercoaster with your child. How about riding your bike on a trail? Walking through a library and revelling in the peace, quiet and all those books. Taking in an art exhibit or going to a museum. Do something that is just about you and your happiness. You deserve to lift the weights off of your shoulders every so often.
It’s never too late to reignite passion and excitement in your life. It might mean being open to love. Perhaps it’s finding what speaks to your soul. Maybe it’s taking the time to listen to yourself - what do you want out of life? What do you want to do? What do you want to learn? Who do you want to meet? Where is your inspiration? What’s your dream?
It’s never too late to recognize the blessings in your life. We all have blessings, even in the darkest moments. Lately I’ve been waking up and taking a deep breath, have thanked God for my life. I think I’d been forgetting to do that this summer. I’ve felt bogged down by work around the property, responsibilities at work, the heaviness of my thoughts and I forgot that I’m blessed. I have enough to take care of myself. I’m not rich but I really don’t need to be. I am surrounded by amazing people. I’m beginning to feel more comfortable in the village. I rarely feel unsafe. That one alone is huge when you think about some areas of the world and the war and strife that are rampant. I make lots of mistakes and I’m still here to work on them. There are people to whom I can go for help. Another big one. So many people feel completely alone with no one to turn to.
It’s never too late to change your perspective. I think all of this blog supports that statement. I am embarking on a new path. I’m diving in with both feet to test the waters and search for positive outcomes. It’s scary to be my age and try out new things. I didn’t realize until recently that I embrace risk. [This is not a financial statement as I’m completely risk adverse with my savings!] I recognize that taking a risk is how I move forward and find my new road. I hope you find something to try that brings you comfort or excitement or satisfaction or joy.
A few shots from around my yard this summer.
With all the changes to the front of my house, I think it's time to update my cover picture!