On Tuesday mornings I often play basketball at the YMCA, and sometimes I even lower the rim a few inches so I can dunk without rupturing any tendons. And typically, a Silver Sneakers workout class participates in some core and balance exercises next door to the basketball court, but yesterday, my hoops game was unexpectedly cut short. Because a lovely legion of elderly folks poured out onto the court armed with ear-to-ear grins and SMALL RUBBER BALLS.

They bounced. They threw. They sort of ran. They played catch. They dribbled (in a good way). And as I watched the unadulterated joy of these Seniors, I wasn’t even disappointed that the basketball court was abruptly unavailable. I figured I was just meant to go upstairs and lift weights instead!

Never stop learning. Never stop moving. Never stop playing. And if you’ve been sad, stagnant, and sedentary, it’s never too late to start again. Pick up a ball…and even if you have to lower the hoop rims a little, I certainly won’t tell