The majority of my first 25 years was spent in a classroom. I so loved being a student that I chose to spend my next 25 years as a teacher. In all that time, both in front of the teacher’s desk and behind it, there was never a day I didn’t learn something. I miss the daily focus on academia, but I am constantly reminded that the world is our classroom.  

As a new year begins, I have strengthened my resolve to be a lifelong learner. Specifically, I have started a daily self-study of conversational French and the piano, both of which I was introduced to in my youth but did not practice as I should have. I do feel tres absurde banging away at Piano Classics for Children; however, age should never be used as an excuse to stop learning. Michelangelo was 87 when he famously said, “I am still learning.”

Being a lifelong learner can benefit these six areas ~

1. Quality of Life ~ Exploring something that brings us joy is time better spent than mindlessly watching television or scrolling through social media.
2. Self-Esteem ~ Nothing makes us feel better about ourselves than working hard, persevering, and mastering something new.
3. Longevity ~ Studies show an active mind can lead to a longer and healthier life.
4. Social Awareness ~ Learning expands our mind, our perspective, and our understanding of the world, making us better citizens.
5. Career Opportunities ~ Employability, competiveness, and leadership are often tied to our willingness to learn new skills.
6. Self-Sufficiency ~ Learning to do-it-yourself can have practical applications, as well as increasing independence and personal satisfaction.

So what are you going to learn this year? Maybe you will take a cooking class, attend a gardening workshop, study art history, take golf lessons, or finish your degree. Think about what brings you joy, and commit to knowing more about it. Our ability to learn is an amazing gift we should never take for granted. 

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” ~ Mahatma Ghandi

Think On These Things ~ Alicia