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If Dick Van Dyke Can Learn the Ukulele at 97, What Can You Pick Up?


If Dick can pluck some strings pushing 100 (sharing a video on Instagram (tinyurl.com/dvd-ukulele), no less), you can become a beginner at something as well. My favorite cocktail party question to someone I've never met is, "In what part of your life are you a beginner these days?"

Dick says, “It’s never too late to start something new.” He’s right. What do you know or have you done now that you wish you’d known or done ten years ago? Now apply that moving forward. Ten years from now, what will you regret if you don’t do it or learn it now?

Every day allows you to become a beginner again. Don’t let your ego, self-criticism, or belief that you don’t have time get in your way. Life is a laboratory, so go experiment with something. 

As our oldest male MEA alum, Jim Flaherty—who just turned 88—says, “Today you are the OLDEST you’ve ever been…and the YOUNGEST you’ll ever be…so let’s make the most of the day, shall we.” 

– Chip

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