“My father was very sure about certain matters pertaining to the universe. To him all good things-trout as well as eternal salvation-come by grace and grace comes by art and art does not come easy.”
― Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories
― Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories
Learning is an Art
By Emily Smith
I would be a hypocrite (and an ignoramus) if I thought my learning would be over just because my formal education is over. Learning, true learning, takes place through experience. Experience is a tough word to define. By my definition experience is anything that creates a deeper, broader life.
The first of my goals is to continue to be a learner is to be an avid reader. I believe reading has the power to “take you places” you would otherwise not have the ability, means, or possibility to experience for whatever reason. Your imagination is stretched and worked, and like any good muscle, grows after a good workout. I agree with Mary Pope Osborn when she says in the letter to her reader “ That’s the magic of using your imagination; whether you put on a play, write a story, or read a novel, you often end up feeling as if you’ve actually visited other places, met new people, and shared their adventures.” (A Ghost Tale for Christmas)
My goal is to learn from my family. If asked who the most influential people in my life are it would have to be my family. It has amazed me how I have slowly turned into my parents, both of them, not just one or the other. I have learned patience and happiness from my older brother, and protectiveness, confidence and humility from my younger brother. My husband has taught me what selfless love looks like. I have learned how to be a mother from my kids and so much that comes with that. I have decided it is easier not to fight the fact that they affect me and rather embrace it, and I hope to continue this perspective.
My goal is to learn from my mentors. Professionally, academically, spiritually, and personally, many different people have been mentors to my life. My goal is to be sure to recognize and appreciate what they are offering. My longer goal then is to become a mentor myself. I would like to pass on things I know in order to help others in their life journey.
My goal is to learn from my students. As a teacher they are quickly becoming the most influential aspect of my career. Interestingly, it is in their naivety and innocence that I am learning to be a better teacher. I am slowly learning how to balance academic teachings with their interests, abilities, and situations surrounding their lives. They are teaching me how to look at the whole child in order to help them be better students. This is a career goal, and one I don’t expect to be a master of any time soon; however, professionally this is my most important lesson to learn.
The most important lesson to learn in my life, however, is to appreciate life, and learn by truly living. The goal is to use everything, formal education, life lessons, and beautiful examples as a map to live a quality life. Life is moving faster and faster all the time, I think my goal is to learn to slow down, appreciate what is in front of me and learn the lessons that have been provided through education, experiences, and people.
I would be a hypocrite (and an ignoramus) if I thought my learning would be over just because my formal education is over. Learning, true learning, takes place through experience. Experience is a tough word to define. By my definition experience is anything that creates a deeper, broader life.
The first of my goals is to continue to be a learner is to be an avid reader. I believe reading has the power to “take you places” you would otherwise not have the ability, means, or possibility to experience for whatever reason. Your imagination is stretched and worked, and like any good muscle, grows after a good workout. I agree with Mary Pope Osborn when she says in the letter to her reader “ That’s the magic of using your imagination; whether you put on a play, write a story, or read a novel, you often end up feeling as if you’ve actually visited other places, met new people, and shared their adventures.” (A Ghost Tale for Christmas)
My goal is to learn from my family. If asked who the most influential people in my life are it would have to be my family. It has amazed me how I have slowly turned into my parents, both of them, not just one or the other. I have learned patience and happiness from my older brother, and protectiveness, confidence and humility from my younger brother. My husband has taught me what selfless love looks like. I have learned how to be a mother from my kids and so much that comes with that. I have decided it is easier not to fight the fact that they affect me and rather embrace it, and I hope to continue this perspective.
My goal is to learn from my mentors. Professionally, academically, spiritually, and personally, many different people have been mentors to my life. My goal is to be sure to recognize and appreciate what they are offering. My longer goal then is to become a mentor myself. I would like to pass on things I know in order to help others in their life journey.
My goal is to learn from my students. As a teacher they are quickly becoming the most influential aspect of my career. Interestingly, it is in their naivety and innocence that I am learning to be a better teacher. I am slowly learning how to balance academic teachings with their interests, abilities, and situations surrounding their lives. They are teaching me how to look at the whole child in order to help them be better students. This is a career goal, and one I don’t expect to be a master of any time soon; however, professionally this is my most important lesson to learn.
The most important lesson to learn in my life, however, is to appreciate life, and learn by truly living. The goal is to use everything, formal education, life lessons, and beautiful examples as a map to live a quality life. Life is moving faster and faster all the time, I think my goal is to learn to slow down, appreciate what is in front of me and learn the lessons that have been provided through education, experiences, and people.