The Universe and other such Woo Woo

It's amazing how when you start to talk about your ideas and plans that things come along that help you along the way. Universe, opportunity, openness; call it what you will, sometimes the stars just align. This has happened to me recently.

Number 2 on the list is 'to go rock climbing' and a living social offer popped up in my email folder along with all the usually spammy junk, with a four week introductory course at a Sheffield indoor wall. I never said I wanted to do it in the great outdoors in the freezing cold, grey dampness of the Yorkshire countryside, as beautiful as that can be (generally when it's not freezing cold or grey and damp) the cold ain't for me; #raynauds anyone? So I just need to book myself in for my eight hours of indoor climbing in downtown Sheffield. Maybe, just maybe when the Peak District is calling in the summertime, I might make it to Stanage Edge for a wee bit of outdoor action. Think of it as a vertical challenge for the vertically challenged.

 Stanage Edge, thanks to Rick Harrison for the photo

So the second time the Universe smiled upon my45at45 was when I mentioned to the very lovely Ms Rae Shearer that I was going to 'knit something'. I know that doesn't sound exciting which is why it's only at number 36 on the list but it's still going to be something I achieve in my 'year and a bit'. Hopefully I'll complete a few more rows than Rae and knock up a scarf or something easy peasy with the bag of wool and knitting needles she has kindly sent my way. 

And finally my decision to 'take a course on public speaking' coincided with the delivery of a Coursera 'Introduction to Public Speaking' course delivered by University of Washington. Yeah go figure, I've sung on stage in front of thousands of people but delivering a presentation to a room full of people puts the fear of of a thousand fears in me. So I thought I'd push myself out of a cerebral comfort zone as well as one filled with adventure and excitement.

And for the record, if you haven't checked out Coursera yet, do so. The range of courses being delivered by top of the range Universities is immense, there's definitely something for everyone and they're free, yes, F-R-E-E; oh how I love that word. And if Yankee drawl isn't for you, Future Learn is the new Open University backed equivalent here in the UK, so there, you have no excuses.

You're never too old to learn something new. Not even when you're 45.