The Pleasure of Being a Beginner Again, How Late Breakfast Habits Affect Health, and Understanding Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

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For much of adult life, competence is expected. You know how to do things, people rely on you, and there’s a quiet pressure to be good at what you try. Becoming a beginner again later in life can feel uncomfortable at first — and then unexpectedly freeing.

When you’re new at something, there’s no need to rush. Whether it’s joining a class, learning a game, trying a new craft, or taking up a hobby you never had time for before, beginners are permitted to pause, ask questions, and repeat steps. That slower pace often feels like relief, not limitation.

As a beginner, the goal isn’t mastery — it’s exploration. You’re noticing how things work, what you enjoy, and what surprises you. For example, someone joining a walking group for the first time might focus less on distance and more on conversation or scenery. The absence of expectation makes the experience lighter.

Later in life, mistakes tend to sting less. Forgetting a step, misunderstanding instructions, or needing help doesn’t threaten identity the way it once might have. Many people find they can laugh more easily and recover faster, which makes learning feel playful rather than stressful.

When something is new, attention sharpens. You notice small successes — remembering a name, improving technique slightly, understanding a concept that didn’t make sense before. These moments bring genuine satisfaction precisely because they’re earned in small increments.

Beginners often connect quickly with others who are learning alongside them. Shared uncertainty creates camaraderie. Asking questions, comparing experiences, and encouraging one another can be as rewarding as the activity itself.

Being a beginner reminds you that growth didn’t end with experience — it changed shape. There’s joy in discovering that learning can still be gentle, social, and enjoyable without needing to lead anywhere in particular.

The Calendar That Stayed on the Wall
From the life overview of Edward L., 90, Albany, New York. Shared with permission.

For many years, a paper calendar hung on the kitchen wall beside the refrigerator. It wasn’t much to look at—just a simple grid of days with enough space to write small reminders.

At first, it was crowded with notes—doctor appointments, school events, birthdays, and small errands that needed doing before the week slipped away. The squares filled quickly, and sometimes the writing had to spill over into the next day.

As time passed, fewer entries appeared. The children moved away, and work schedules vanished. The house didn’t require quite so much planning anymore.

Still, every January, I replaced the calendar with a new one. The pages were clean and hopeful, waiting for whatever might arrive during the year.

Occasionally, I’d write something on it—a lunch with a friend, a repairman visit sometime in the afternoon, or another small errand that might slip my mind otherwise. Most days remained empty, but I never saw that as a problem.

A calendar doesn’t just measure busy days. It quietly marks the passing of ordinary ones, too. And when you flip the page each month, you’re reminded that time keeps offering fresh squares, whether or not you fill them.

***

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The Avalon Project – Yale Law School
This digital library gathers historical documents in law, history, and diplomacy, from ancient texts to modern agreements. It allows you to read foundational materials—treaties, letters, and declarations—in their original form, without interpretation layered on top. The experience is steady and direct, offering a closer connection to the decisions and ideas that shaped history.

Earth Nullschool
This interactive map visualizes real-time weather patterns—wind, ocean currents, and atmospheric conditions—moving across the globe. While visually engaging, it also encourages a quieter kind of observation, where you can watch systems unfold rather than simply read about them. It’s a thoughtful way to see the planet as something dynamic and interconnected.

Book of the Day: The First Ladies
by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
This novel brings to life the powerful friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune, two women who worked behind the scenes to challenge injustice and reshape America. As they navigate politics, prejudice, and personal sacrifice, their bond becomes a force for lasting change. Rich in historical detail, it’s an inspiring story of courage, collaboration, and quiet influence.

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Phone call “spoofing” happens when a caller deliberately changes the number that appears on your caller ID. It can make a scam call look like it’s coming from your bank, a government office, or even a local number. The good news is there are simple ways to recognize and avoid these calls.

Start with what the caller asks for. If someone requests personal information (Social Security number, bank details, passwords), that’s a major warning sign—especially if they create urgency.

Pay attention to the tone. Scammers often rush you (“Act now!”) or try to scare you (“Your account will be closed”). Legitimate organizations rarely pressure you like this over the phone.

Be cautious with familiar-looking numbers. Even if it looks like a local call or a known business, spoofing makes that easy to fake. If something feels off, hang up.

A reliable habit: don’t return missed calls from unknown numbers. If it’s important, they’ll leave a voicemail.

You can also register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unwanted calls (though it won’t stop all scams).

Many phones and carriers now offer built-in call filtering. For example, the AT&T ActiveArmor app, Verizon Call Filter, and T-Mobile Scam Shield can automatically block or label suspicious calls.

You can also install third-party apps like Hiya or Truecaller to screen calls in real time.

Look for “Verified” or “Caller Verified” labels on incoming calls. These come from newer security systems (called STIR/SHAKEN) that help confirm a caller’s identity—but even then, stay cautious if the call seems unusual.

If you receive a suspicious call, report it to the Federal Trade Commission—this helps track and reduce scams over time.

When in doubt, hang up and call the organization back using the official number from their website or a bill. That one small step can save you a lot of trouble.

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Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object! Be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a free gift in the mail.

Today’s clue: Small shelter for backyard birds.

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