As we enter autumn, I have been thinking about how often we associate growing older with giving things up.
We talk about the activities we can no longer do, the responsibilities we have completed, and the seasons of life that are now behind us. Those changes are real, and some of them deserve to be grieved.
But I wonder if we sometimes forget that growing older can also be a season of discovery.
You may have more wisdom than you did at thirty, but that does not mean you have learned everything there is to learn. You may have fewer responsibilities than you once did, but that does not mean there are no new experiences waiting for you.
You are never too old to be a beginner.
Perhaps you have always wanted to learn to paint, take a class, grow a garden, study a new subject, or become more involved in your community. Perhaps you have wanted to learn how to use technology to stay connected with your family, but you have been embarrassed to ask for help.
I hope you will give yourself permission to try.
Being a beginner requires humility, and I think that is one of its greatest gifts. It reminds us that we are still growing and that we do not have to be good at something immediately for it to be worthwhile.
Scripture tells us, “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.” Proverbs 18:15
Wisdom is not the end of learning. In many ways, wisdom makes us more curious.
After decades in medicine, I continue to learn from the people around me, including those who are much younger and those who are much older. Every generation has something to teach us.
If you have been telling yourself that it is too late to try something new, I hope you will reconsider.
You do not need to become an expert. You do not need to turn a hobby into a business or prove that your time is productive. You are allowed to learn something simply because it brings you joy.
This week, choose one thing you have been curious about and take a small step toward it.
You may discover that the next season of your life has more to offer than you expected.
For more encouragement on living well through every season, visit Hope for Every Season.
