Relearning…

Research shows that the brain is malleable

At any age, to learning it is amenable

Therefore the internet is full of inspiring tales

Of people who in their later years learnt to scale

New heights, learn skills completely new

To motivate others to do something similar too

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I worry quite a bit about the health of my brain

I’d like to learn new skills, but my schedule leaves me drained

So the idea of learning a dramatically new skill

Has remained in the realm of fantasy, and always will..

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But there were some skills I had acquired in the past

With the demands of adult life, my leisurely pastimes did not last

What if I were to rekindle old interests to fuel my brain

What if I were to flex atrophied muscles again?

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To protect, preserve , keep rebuilding my brain

Let me learn abandoned skills once again

Pick up a paint brush, an embroidery needle and thread

Or try to dance to a tune stuck for decades in my head

There are so many skills I could revive

And build on, to let new brain connections thrive

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Learning something new appears daunting but learning old stuff again

Makes me go down the pleasant memory lane

Of a joyful childhood, where I spent hours immersed

In arts and crafts, where imagination and skill converged..

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As I fill the canvas using brush-strokes imperfect

I marvel at the endorphin-releasing effect

Of this activity that would let me maintain

Optimal health of my very precious brain