A friend after his 30s, he had developed a great interest in English out of the blue. He bought a shelf of English books and a trunk of English tapes. I was curious to inquire the reason? He simply answered: “I wish I could enjoy those melodious English songs one day”. He was one of the diehard fans of English that he had an idea of it. It’s really understandable.

I thought he was on the spur of the moment which he cannot keep it up. 4 years have been passed; he not only able to enjoy English songs, understand English books, but also can speak impeccable English. Now he doesn’t listen to English songs any more, but got promoted. The reason is that the company he works for has involved foreign business. Because of his sharp thinking and fluent English that he acquires more opportunities than others. What's more, he makes good use of his knowledge into work effectively.

He talked to me that only 4 years' studied which serve the half of his lifetime. How valuable!

There is another close friend who was keen on literature and poetry before his retirement. He should be a talent. One day he told me that: “he wants to learn traditional Chinese painting”.

Before this, he even cannot distinguish realistic painting and freehand brushwork. But he wanted to learn traditional Chinese painting abruptly, this idea should be “unprecedented”. I estimated that he was just for the moment of interest that he may end up within half a year.

I was totally wrong. Few years later, his capability of painting has been distinguished by people. You can see it in the newspapers and magazines besides he has become the member of a Chinese painting and calligraphy association. He phoned me the other day, and said that his personal painting exhibition will be held after two months.

Before hanging up, he explained: “I thought it is too late to start learning painting in the age of 50s, but now not at all! It only took several years to learn a kill which I can enjoy using it for the rest of my life. How valuable!

I was bowed down in admiration of his action and persistence.

I want to learn something very often, but for most of the time, when come to the age. I only with a sigh “It is too late, I'd better give up”.

For example, you intended to use 5 years time to learn one technique. When at the age of 25s you thought it is too late. By the time of 30s, you were regretted that you were not sticked to it at that time. If so, how useful it should be! It is 30s now; you thought it is really late. And then, when you reached the age of 35s, you are still having the same idea in mind, circling the cycle, your time and life is just wasted.

Is it late? It is never too late. It is just the beginning of your journey that is a long way to go!

Learning is never too late. But it would be too late for those who never learnt.