"Never Too Late" Starts At 60? Seriously? ATM Students Start New With Every Lesson

NYT: 10 Insightful Tips From People Who Prove It’s Never Too Late

Really?

This is personal! When I read ‘inspirational’ articles about people who try things new at the age of 60, even 50, I get pissed! The New York Times recently profiled and offered “insightful tips” from people who prove ‘it’s never too late.”

The article profiles a 66 year-old Dierdre Wolownick, who climbed El Capitan for the first time at age 66. Cool, but not because of her age. She trained, she used her body wisely and did it. There’s a 68 year-old woman who learns to swim. A 63 year-old woman picks up horseback riding. A 50 year-old woman publishes her first novel? The opera singer changes her career to take over the family farm. A cellist who returns to her instrument at 93. A career changer who becomes a minister at 50.

What is so amazing about trying new things as an adult? Like it or not, many of us have had to create new careers several times, and have challenged ourselves to keep learning once we have had it with the career path.

Maybe I’ve been out of the mainstream, surrounded by creative, curious explorers for so long, that what is commonplace in my world is extraordinary ‘out there.’

Maybe it has something to do with Awareness Through Movement. Every class is like starting anew. Finding new ways to express ourselves through our bodies. Discovering new ways of doing familiar actions. Relishing the complexity and simplicity of our human form.

I have no complaint about people sharing their experiences. And the insights shared are certainly wise. Nonetheless, I can’t wait for the day when Awareness Through Movement is as common as yoga. I’ve always been 20 years ahead of my time. If starting something new becomes a fad, we are all queued up.

Vera Jiji, 93, at her home in New York with her cello. “It has given me a way to communicate without using words,” she said. Credit...Justin J Wee for The New York Times