Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-63.153.27.253-20170324071215

Let me start by saying that I am a martial artist. In my years practicing, I've heard many people lament how they're 'too old to learn Kung fu.' I've also learned that that's not true. Anyone can learn Kung fu, whether they're ten years old or eighty.

So what about psionic ability? Well, since we know it as a muscle, let's continue with the martial arts analogy. (I may start another discussion based on the parallels, and how one might aid the other, but let's just deal with age for now.)  If you're sixty years old, and just starting Kung fu, the first thing you need to acknowledge is that, no, you aren't going to be doing splits, flying kicks, and crazy shit you see the kids doing. However... that doesn't mean you aren't learning Kung fu, and it doesn't mean that you can't be even better than the limber little tarts.

Here's where we get something to discuss. Kung fu isn't mid-air splits and spinning jumping back kicks. Children learn those moves to strengthen their developing bodies. To promote the physical abilities they'l need to do actual Kung fu. This gives them an advantage, certainly, but a senior citizen is just as capable of learning and practicing the forms, and even becoming a deadly warrior.

So what about psychic powers? I've often heard they weaken as you get older, but I think that may only be how we perceive it. Sure it may be a little harder to turn the psiwheel, now that you'received an ancient twenty somrthing, but that could just be your doubt holding you back.

In fact, I only ever notice my 'power level,' for lack of a better term, growing. As I get older my powers mature, and my pool of psychic energy grows deeper, even if physical manifestation is a tad harder. Theoretically, the trick would be removing all doubt from your  mind. Something that sounds easier than it is, but I feel we have to have gotten the vision of the wizened old spellcaster from somewhere, and it wasn't Tolkien.

So what do you have to say about it? What have you noticed about your powers and abilities as you grow older? DI'd it get easier, or harder? We're you able to maintain a power longer, or did it become more tiring just to perform it once? What are your theories on how to improve? 