As if I needed a reminder, an approaching birthday signals the harsh reality that both feet are now firmly ensconced in what some call the Golden Years. While it could very well be psychosomatic, I can actually feel myself getting older, not just physically, but mentally. Because my dad had Alzheimers, I am very sensitive about losing my memory, so I’m always on the lookout for mind-stimulating things to do or hobbies that don’t require much in the way of materials or equipment, since we live in an RV.

God’s timing amazes me. Two weeks ago, I accidentally stumbled upon a pop-up registration for a writing program I’ve been interested in, called COMPEL. This particular program only holds enrollment once in a blue moon, and that particular day must’ve been the day. The fee was very affordable–$25 a month–and could be cancelled anytime. I signed up and dove right in.

After two weeks of completing at least one writing lesson a day, I’m glad I took the leap. It’s already obvious that there is so much I don’t know, but I don’t care. Time takes time. This isn’t a race, and I’m competing with no one. I’m in this to learn, and in two short weeks I have already learned a lot.

Just yesterday, I spent what easily amounted to four hours, maybe more, designing a graphic combining a photo and the text of one of my favorite verses. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Maybe for someone who’s more computer savvy than me! Picking out a photo was easy; adding text was the hard part.

My eyes were crossed after looking at one font style after another after another; I had no idea there were so many! I also wasn’t aware that such a thing as “font psychology” exists because certain font styles elicit certain emotional reactions. Who knew there was so much to know about fonts?

As frustrated as I sometimes got, the whole process was compelling. My mind struggled at times to understand the graphics software and my patience was tested, but it wasn’t unpleasant. It just took some time. Little by little, I witnessed the metamorphosis of parts combining to make the idea I originally envisioned:

What surprised me the most was that I felt that my mind was stretched, but it was not stressed. There’s a big difference; one feels good and the other doesn’t. Learning something new actually was invigorating!

Very often, “life” infringes on our time and energy, and we have to put our desire on hold until we have time to devote to it. For example, American folk-artist Grandma Moses did not begin her career until the age of 78, although she dabbled in painting all her life. Colonel Sanders didn’t franchise his first Kentucky Fried Chicken until he was 62. And Laura Ingalls Wilder didn’t begin publishing her Little House on the Prairie collection until age 65.

Then there is Priscilla Sitience from Kenya, who’s believed to be one of the world’s oldest primary school students. She enrolled in school in 2010 when she was 85 years old, after having spent 65 years as a midwife. Even the Bible indicates that Noah, Moses, and Abraham were all senior citizens when they had their adventures. Clearly, the love of learning can last a lifetime.

Benjamin Franklin once remarked, “When you’re finished changing, you’re finished,” and I believe that wholeheartedly. If ever there was a time that seniors could stay current and young at heart, this is it. Area senior citizen centers and libraries offer classes–many of them free–in a variety of subjects, plus fitness and wellness programs, and arts and crafts. Online classes and YouTube videos on just about any topic imaginable puts learning at your fingertips anytime, anywhere.

Getting older is inevitable, but becoming stagnant is optional. It’s never too late to learn. 😌