After All, You're Never Too Old For A First Time.

Yesterday morning at 9:00 a.m., I did something I had never done before—and it was a blast. My friend Curtis, who lives on Lake Lanier, invited me to go kayaking.

I had kayaked on the Chattahoochee River before and assumed paddling around a lake might be a little boring by comparison.I was wrong.

The weather was perfect. A steady breeze swept across the water, occasionally kicking up little whitecaps. We launched from Curtis's dock and paddled about 25 minutes to a small island. After stretching our legs and taking in the view, we watched a guy absolutely laying it down on slalom skis.

Then we paddled another 30 minutes, passing Harbor Point Marina and stopping for a quick snack and water break while admiring some of the beautiful homes along the shoreline.

Finally, we made the last leg of the trip back to Curtis's house. About an hour and a half after we started, we pulled the kayaks onto the dock, tired but smiling.

But the best part of the adventure wasn't yesterday. It was this morning. I woke up smiling, replaying the entire experience in my mind. The fresh air. The conversation. The exercise. The beauty of the lake. The feeling of doing something I had never done before.

That's one of the wonderful things about new experiences. They keep giving long after they're over.

In fact, I've become convinced that one of the most important things we can do after age 60 is to keep trying new things.

And it turns out there is real science behind that idea. Researchers who study the aging brain have discovered something encouraging called neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to continue creating and strengthening connections throughout life.

In simple terms, our brains keep growing when we keep learning. Learning a new skill, visiting a new place, meeting new people, or trying a new activity doesn't just make life more interesting; it helps maintain cognitive function, improves emotional well-being, and contributes to a better overall quality of life.

In other words, that kayak trip was doing more than giving me a fun morning on Lake Lanier. It was giving my brain, my body, my relationships, and even my spirit a healthy workout.

Somewhere along the way, many people begin to believe that growing older means slowing down, settling into routines, and becoming less adventurous. We start eating at the same restaurants, driving the same roads, talking to the same people, and doing the same activities we've always done.

Research continues to show that learning and experiencing new things has tremendous benefits for older adults. When we challenge ourselves with something unfamiliar, our brains literally create new neural pathways. New experiences help sharpen our thinking, strengthen memory, improve focus, and keep us mentally engaged.

And the benefits don't stop there. Trying something new boosts confidence. There is something satisfying about discovering, "Hey, I can still learn. I can still grow. I can still do things I've never done before."

New experiences also increase joy. Scientists tell us that enjoyable new activities release dopamine, one of the brain's "feel-good" chemicals. I don't know much about dopamine, but I know I woke up smiling this morning.

There are relational benefits too. Most new experiences involve other people. Whether it's kayaking with a friend, joining a class, volunteering, playing a sport, or learning a hobby, new activities often create new conversations and stronger relationships.

I've seen that in my own life.

A few years ago, I started playing pickleball and absolutely love it. Jean and I get together every few weeks with two other couples and learn new card games. Just when we think we've mastered one, we move on to another. Sometimes the game is fun. Sometimes watching us figure out the rules is even more entertaining.

I've also enjoyed using Remento, a service that sends a prompt each week and helps you record stories from your life for your family. It has reminded me of things I had long forgotten and given me opportunities to reflect on God's faithfulness through the years.

And now kayaking has joined the list.

The older I get, the more convinced I am that growth is not supposed to stop at retirement. God didn't create us to simply coast to the finish line. He created us to keep learning, serving, exploring, encouraging, and growing for as long as He gives us breath.

Maybe your next adventure is learning an instrument. Maybe it's taking a photography class. Maybe it's joining a choir, volunteering in a new ministry, trying Tai Chi, writing your memoirs, or simply taking a walk through a park without your phone in your hand.

The activity itself isn't the point. The point is that you're still growing.

I believe one secret to aging well is maintaining a spirit of curiosity. The moment we stop learning, exploring, and trying new things, we begin to shrink. But when we stay curious, life stays interesting.

So here's my challenge for all of us who are north of 60: Do something you've never done before. It doesn't have to be dramatic. You don't need to climb Mount Everest, jump out of an airplane (although doing that years ago became one of the most memorable and life-changing adventures of my life), or kayak across Lake Lanier in a hurricane.

Just do something that stretches you a little.

Take a class. Learn a skill. Visit a place you've never been. Meet someone new. Read a book outside your normal interests. Join a group. Serve somewhere different.

Your brain will thank you. Your relationships will thank you. Your spirit will thank you.

And if you're anything like me, you just might wake up the next morning smiling as you relive the adventure all over again.

After all, you're never too old for a first time.

Taking our LAST BEST BITE means to keep growing, keep learning, keep serving, and keep trying new things. Some of God's best surprises are still ahead of us."