Roll over, Rover!

So, we face a new year! 2011!!

Fresh start (yayyyy!!!), new resolutions (groan..), Carpe Novum!!!

Well, I decided to test drive this new year and a week later, I have determined that I like it and will keep it.

'New' is always such a provocative word. It can be favorable, or negative. It can represent an exciting possibility, or an intimidating challenge. Just saying the word 'new' invokes a variety of emotions and connections.

There are so many sayings regarding new. One in particular that I hear a lot is 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks'.

The older I get, the less I agree.

As a young pup, I was of the impression that the older you got the more you were 'set in your ways'. The perception of adults was that they were unwilling or unable to 'do new' and appreciate newness unless they were forced into it, especially the older you got.

Grownups resented being pushed into uncharted territory, having their hard won comfort zones compromised. Only the young are brave, fearless, and seeking the next big rush. Old meant stuck or stale. Youth meant fresh and fluid.

Bull crap!

The whateverwhomever that put these preconceptions in my head was DEAD WRONG!

I first got the hint that there was a flaw to this theory when I took a water aerobics class, when my daughter was around 1 year old. I worked from home, was a first time mother, and still in a post partum fog, so I figured I would find something to get me in shape and out of the house.

I joined a morning water fitness class at the local YWCA. My first session had me entering the the pool area at an ungodly 6 am. Scattered around the water's surface was what appeared to be a lake filed with aging lily pads. 

My REM-envied vision cleared slowly to reveal a myriad of brightly colored swim suites and little bobbing grey heads. The only one in the class that was under 70 was me, a 35 year old , lactating, hormonal mess, and the 50-something instructor. My first thought was 'so this is what I am reduced to? Working out with the grey panthers ??!!??' I wasn't sure if I should laugh, or cry.

During warm up it became clear very quickly that not only was I NOT going to be the star pupil in this class, but that I had GREATLY underestimated these ladies regarding their fitness, their exuberance, their everything.

That class became one of my favorite hours of the day, and I met the most amazing women who shared so much of themselves with each move, laugh, and story. These silver mermaids adopted me and taught me that not only is there still fire in the furnace when there is snow on the roof, but that age is truly irrelevant when you achieve and maintain youth in your heart and soul.

I have also learned, as my journey continues, that the older I get, the more critical it is for me to embrace the new.

New equals change, and each day/month/year we live, we face change and are renewed with every second, every hour, every breath and heart beat.

Whether you meet new with bravery, excitement, and anticipation, or with fear, doubt, and resentment, new will still happen.

So, really, its not age that affects how you do new, its your attitude and your heart. And that rule can be applied to everyone regardless of how old you are.

Everyday, we are all new again and new never gets old.

Will you?