I have decided that this year, as God is my witness, I will learn to play the piano.

I purchased a teach-yourself-piano instruction book on Amazon recently and have gotten to page 75 in the book so far.  I’ve learned chords and finger positions and have had a good refresher course in music theory.  I’ve always loved to sit down and pick out melodies on the piano but I want to be able to read music and play what’s on the page.

I don’t delude myself that I’m ever going to be some great musician, but I want to learn more about the piano and continue to improve to at least the level of a middle school student, for crying out loud.

I’ve actually put it in writing:

Learn basic piano and music theory well enough to get through my entire piano book and sight read music.

Everyone has the ability (and often the desire) to learn something new.  For me it is piano.  For you it might be cooking more adventurous and complicated recipes, or taking ballroom dance lessons, or singing lessons (I would love to do this as well) or learning a musical instrument.  Perhaps you want to learn to paint or draw, or to build a book shelf or a table.

Don’t get in a rut and say “Oh, I’m too old to learn that.”  There is no old dog, it’s not about new tricks.  It’s about giving yourself permission to really suck at something you’re interested in until you learn to do it passably well, and then learn to do it really well.  Find a friend to take lessons with, look up classes at a community college or dance studio or recreation center.  Do something new this year!