It is sad how often these beliefs are repeated as if they are the unquestioned truth (the more we say something, the more we come to believe it is true), and sadder how they limit us in our lives. When you say these things - when you really believe these things - it means you've stopped adapting to the world around you: you're stuck in the past and not adaptive to the here-and-now. It is not a healthy mindset. I am often struck by how many people talk about dealing with their problems, yet they don't actually deal with them at all. They pooh-pooh the idea of therapy by saying "I can handle my own problems" or "I'm too old to change", but they don't truly deal with their problems by talking about them and trying to change their problematic behaviors, and instead keep repeating the behaviors that cause the problems!

Older people also use the phrase "In my day" as a way to indict the present as inferior to the way "it used to be", yet they use it as a way to excuse their non-participation in the present. Think about it - is today NOT your day?? Are you too old to learn something?? Of course not!

Sometimes we get complacent, and trying something different feels scary. However, remember that a flower in a small pot can only grow so far. An actor in Wichita (for example) who goes as far as is possible in Wichita will stay at that level. That is fine for some people -- being the Big Fish in the Little Pond can be satisfying. However, if you want to achieve greater things, you need to grow, to push your limits.

We all must keep growing until we die. It is the nature of all living things. It is never too late to start something that can enhance your life, be it piano lessons, or therapy, or quitting smoking ... you get the idea!!!