Contributed by Evey Brown

Personal growth is a wonderful thing.  Goals and resolutions are helpful; but is there something amazing out there that you have never even considered,  waiting to grab you and push you into a totally different direction in your life?  Remember the old adage;  “Opportunity only knocks once”?  My question is, have you been paying attention?  Have you looked around, searched the web or thought about returning to school?

A friend of mine recommended I join MeetUp online; plug in some of my favorite activities and see what’s out there. I found not only a club that loved to watch movies, but free yoga in the park a block from my house, a writing group that meets just downtown, a dog walking club and women who knit all in my  neighborhood.  I was shocked to find so many other people out there interested in the same things I am and they are just minutes away!  I joined my movie club and now can’t imagine weekends without them, discussing and watching old shows.  They are my new tribe, it is so wonderful to geek out with people who love what I love.  One of my sons joined the writing group and loves it as well.

Another day I searched for tai chi lessons near me, wanting some low impact exercise that helps with balance.  I was rewarded with literally pages and pages of not only businesses that teach tai chi but also free classes in the city.  The Senior Center has one every Saturday morning.  On the Senior Center page I noticed they also have online ballet lessons and exercise with one of the dancers in our local ballet company.  These are recorded and can be viewed at any time, focusing mostly on posture, balance and strength and are geared to people my age.  This dancer also comes to the Center monthly to give live lessons!  Who else can brag they get in person lessons from a professional ballerina?  And for free?  They also pointed me to local hikes, parks, and sightseeing tours I was not aware of.  There is a long list of places to volunteer based on your interests and free swim and gym times for seniors.

What if I’m not a senior, you ask?  The city park and recreation site pointed me to local festivals, classes on gardening, sewing, blogging and scrapbooking.  There are lists of museums, 5K races, chili cook offs, art shows, free days at the zoo, botanical gardens, historical farms and the planetarium.

The library, county and city, each offer multiple classes in foreign languages, writing, poetry, drawing and reading tutoring.  Bring your kids to the music festivals and story time.  Enjoy free computer time, interviews with authors, public and political figures and classes on bicycle and personal safety.  Rent a movie or check out a book, a real one or on your tablet.

Don’t forget continuing education, night and weekend classes in a variety of courses at multiple campuses.  Learn to prepare your own taxes, cook like a chef or get your GED.  And meet other people with similar interests.

The local pages of the newspaper list speed dating nights, plays at theaters, art shows, movies and restaurants nearby with reviews.  Concerts, rodeos, firework shows, equestrian events, you name it, they have it.

I am sure you can think of other places to look for something new to help you grow and expand your mind. Start with this list and go find your next unknown passion.  Unless you look you will never know what opportunities are out there and available.