Do One New Thing in the Next Year

What does your New Year look like?

Last year, I decided to try to do at least one new thing, so I quickly jotted down 4 or 5 things that sounded interesting. Actually, when you think about it, how often do we just keep doing the same old things? Sure, we may go to a different place on vacation or something, but generally we do the same job, maintain our relationships and amuse ourselves in a "tried and true" fashion - humans have a hard time changing!

Now ideally when you write down a new thought, it's best to keep that list in an often seen location to ensure you'll be reminded. However, I quickly got distracted as I not only kept doing my job but in fact I had set some new goals for myself, primarily around my counseling practice. I started conducting regular workshops, recording CD's and started this blog.

In addition to a time of personal change, a new pastor came to our church, bringing exciting growth that we quickly embraced. In the fall, our new Fine Arts pastor announced he was starting acting classes. I was intrigued by this -- who would have ever thought you could go to acting classes at a church? (Not from my background anyway) His plans to use plays, musicals and even a movie for outreach sounded like something I wanted to check out, so I signed up.

Two days later, I was reorganizing material on my desk when I ran across my "try a new thing" list. Amazingly to me, "acting" was number two on the list! I had no recollection of writing that and immediately felt so grateful and overwhelmed that I began to weep. Did God really care enough about me that he orchestrated many changes around me to meet a stated, albeit forgotten, desire of my heart? Yes, He did. I knew it then; I know it now. Of course, I wasn't the only person who benefitted from these changes, but I was certainly included! I also know He'll do the same for you; remember, "ask and you shall receive." Maybe there's a little "new thing" you want to check out; perhaps there's a major new direction you want to follow. Write it down; see what happens.

When I wrote last month about "grow or decay," it's important to remember that growing doesn't have to be huge -- in fact, sometimes that can become overwhelming and we never start. A little change often begins an avalanche of movement, and we're the better for it. I challenge you to take a few minutes now and quickly write a few things you might want to try. Who knows? Maybe 3, 6 or 9 months later you'll run across that list and discover a desire of your heart has come to pass.

You're Not Too Old & It's Never Too Late

Sometimes when I contemplate expanding my vision by additional speaking, or writing a book or even smaller tasks such as selling CD's from my workshops or the T-shirts I designed, old thoughts such as "you're too old" or "who do you think you are? This could never happen!" creap in. However, a couple of things keep me going.

First of all, it's so exciting to be filled with new purpose! At 62, I'm happier, healthier and closer to God than I've ever been. Secondly, I remember people like Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame. He was 65 years old when his business became a household word. I'm inspired by perhaps lesser-known people like the local head of AARP; she's a petite dynamo who received her master's in nursing at the age of 60 and is still going strong many years later.

Barnum (of Barnum and Bailey reknown) was 60 years old when "The Greatest Show on Earth" made its debut." Ray Kroc, creator of the McDonald's franchise, was over 50 when he earned his first millions. Dr. William Welch, founder of Welch's Grape Juice, became a doctor, then switched to dentistry. He was 60 years old when he realized he could earn big bucks by extracting juice rather than teeth.

Perhaps considered a babe in arms by my "60 - you're not too old" criteria, John Grisham was still 45 years old when he became a best-selling author. I'm also encouraged to see Cher giving a farewell performance, looking and sounding fantastic at age 60; Paul Newman led his team to victory in a car racing event in Italy when he was 82 years old.

Another phrase that strikes "fear to my grow old heart-set" is: You grow or you decay. Those who choose to stop growing start decaying, then sit around and wait to die. Not my desire! As I reflect on my life, I guess I've always been a "late bloomer" anyway. I remember being the ripe old age of 20 and not yet married. While that might not sound significant these days, when and where I grew up, the "formula" was: girls go to high school, get married immediately (some even in their senior year) and start a family. When I was 3 years post-high school and still not married, with (gasp! even worse!) no boyfriend in sight, I was doomed for old maid status.

I recall vividly the November night I knelt by my bed and reluctantly, although quite seriously, told God that obviously since he meant for me never to marry, I guess I'd go be a missionary to the Indians. I often tell people that God must have received this prayer and said, "Oh no, I couldn't do that to those poor Indians" and by the end of the following January I met my husband-to-be, who ironically enough perhaps, was the son of missionaries -- to American Indians.

As if that wasn't sufficient ammunition for my "you're not too old" arsenal, I received another opportunity to demonstrate God isn't through with you just because you're almost 50. My husband and I went to college for the first time in our 40's. Frankly, I accompanied him solely at his request; I was doing just fine, thank you. I'd worked my way up the ladder at the clinic where I'd been for 18 years, and that was just with on-the-job training. My "formula" remember, never included girls going to college, and I was following it faithfully.

I wondered, when starting our drive to school in Colorado Springs 4 nights a week + every Saturday, all year long for 4 years, what possible purpose could God have in mind for my getting a bachelor's degree after all this time. That question was answered when I lost my job while we were still in college. Now, what was I to do? Long story short, I continued my education, got my master's degree in counseling and began an entirely new career. I must say, truthfully, that while I really liked my previous job, I absolutely love what I'm now doing!

So whenever you start to think, "I'm too old (or too young or too whatever)....." why don't you instead join this late bloomer in a life of purpose, passion and determination to keep growing. Barb