Use It, or Lose It…
It was our first-ever Bengali meal, and I knew it would be fiery—spicy hot, much like Indian or Pakistani cuisine, or even a good Thai red curry.
Toronto, according to the UN, is the most cosmopolitan and multicultural city on the planet. It’s a food lover’s paradise—especially for those who relish international flavors.
We dined at a small strip mall restaurant called Adda, and the food was extraordinary. The tender beef, cooked in a medley of aromatic spices and herbs, was unforgettable.
We were steered toward this hidden gem by a cab driver—and let’s face it, cabbies usually know where to find the best food (and lodging too).
But what stood out just as much as the food was the expression on our server’s face when I greeted him—and later thanked him—in Bengali!
Language fascinates me. Ever since I attended an evening course taught by Barry Farber, I’ve made it a point to pick up snippets of various languages—French, German, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, and even Haitian Creole, to name a few.
Now, let me be clear: I’m not a linguist or a polyglot by any stretch of the imagination.
French is my best second language, and I can hold a basic conversation and even tell a joke in it. The others? They’re more like a handful of phrases.
But here’s the thing—they’re worth using. The delight on a native speaker’s face makes every effort worthwhile. Barry Farber was right: People are genuinely thrilled when we take the time to learn even a tiny bit of their language or culture.
But this email isn’t just about languages. It’s really about keeping our minds sharp as we age.
Learning a new language in later life has a profoundly beneficial impact on our brains. And it doesn’t stop at language.
Learning anything new, especially in depth, stimulates neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire itself—and helps stave off mental decline.
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One of the best investments we can make for a healthier future is to keep learning and keep our brains active.
Some of you already know that my wife and I took up piano lessons this year. It’s been a fascinating journey, guided by our teacher, Clay, from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Music, especially playing the piano, doesn’t just stimulate the right hemisphere of the brain; it also enhances physical dexterity.
And the effects are profound.
Surprisingly, even something as simple as reading a good biography can grow your brain. When we immerse ourselves in someone else’s life story, it feels as though we’re living it ourselves.
Right now, I’m reading Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography, and I’m learning more than I ever imagined.
One of my brilliant teachers, Dr. John Grinder, once told me: Once we’ve acquired a new resource, it becomes impossible to remember what life was like before we had it.
I’ve found that to be true with piano. We started in February, took a ten-week break over the summer, and now, just a few months later, we’re playing Christmas carols straight from the sheet music!
It’s all about keeping the brain active—while also avoiding things that harm it, like canola oil, junk food, artificial additives like aspartame, and GMO grains. I also take ginkgo, ginseng, and omega-3 fish oil to boost glucose and oxygen uptake when I’m working hard.
My wife, meanwhile, has become a certified pickleball addict. It gives her fantastic cardio, not to mention a like-minded social circle. And although I’ve paused my British Jiu Jitsu practice for now, I’ve been diving into backgammon to scratch my competitive itch—it’s a great brain workout, too.
For some people, brain stimulation looks like Sudoku or crossword puzzles. For others, it’s training for a marathon or learning how to paint landscapes.
The key, it seems to me, is variety. The more diverse and stimulating your activities, the sharper your brain will remain, even into your twilight years.
Because here’s the truth: If you keep doing the same things you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting the same results you’ve always gotten.
So, what’s next for you? Will you try gardening? Pick up a guitar? Dive into geometry? Our brains crave novelty.
Physical and mental input, especially when it’s new, keeps them thriving. That’s why I urge you to make 2025 a year of learning, exploration, and personal development.
Inside your skull are billions of neurons, just waiting to be filled with something fresh, challenging, and meaningful. By adding new skills and experiences to our lives, we give ourselves the best possible shot at staying sharp, healthy, and engaged well into our eighties and nineties.
So, what will you learn next?
Maybe Jefferson Airplane put it best: “Feed your head.”
- Mike Mandel
