Good or Bad

Recently in a conversation with a friend she was lamenting people in their 20's and 30's saying they are too old to do something. Perhaps she is right and it is true young people shouldn't say they are too old. My point was that when we deny someone their perspective on things, we tell them they are wrong and that is not a good thing. Perhaps what I believe is true. Perhaps we are both right, and perhaps we are also wrong. 
​Huh?

It's the start of a new school year and a young person doesn't want to go to school. There is yelling and unkind words. And the child did not go to school. There are many who would be appalled that the child was allowed to stay home. And many who would side on being empathetic to the child and giving the child time to adjust. Not to mention empathetic to the teacher who would have to manage an angry child. It really doesn't matter who is right... what matters is that there are consequences. And it is the consequences that often make us decide if something is good or bad.

I recently tried to dyno. I don't like dynos. I believe I could get hurt. But I tried. 

"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." 
​A quote from "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare.

A consequence of believing one is too old is that you will probably hold yourself back from things. The consequence could be missing out on opportunities to meet new people, do things, get your body in better shape. And it could also be to prevent real injury and pain. My 60 year old body is not super fond of big falls bouldering or dynamic moves and when I have done those things, not only has it meant not exercising, it has meant weeks of physiotherapy. 

The truth in my friends' perspective is this... words have power. Telling oneself that one is too old reinforces limits of what is possible for someone. That further entrenches fear and a lack of confidence. Grit and resilience are only earned by doing what feels difficult. There are no short cuts. You cannot develop these qualities without challenging thoughts and by trying to do what feels impossible. 

Where are you closed off from doing something because of a belief? Is it in your career? Or perhaps fitness? What would you be willing to do to challenge that belief? BE CAREFUL! Don't try to do the most extreme thing, but what little thing would potentially make a little difference? Maybe it is not bothering to take up a hobby because you don't believe you have time. Maybe it is not participating in a book club because you don't believe people will value your opinion. Maybe you won't go hiking because you have to go alone and something could happen. Think of a small way you could challenge the idea. A workshop to explore the hobby. Sharing your opinion about a book on Instagram or in your Facebook feed. Perhaps the hike could be a popular one at a busy time and with the ability to turn back if necessary.

Try it. There is no harm in learning from an attempt that did not go according to plan. And focus on the learning from the adventure. After all, the key ingredient in an adventure is uncertainty.