The Ride | Learning

​DEFINITION: The acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or being taught.

One of the favorite life activities I just adore is learning. I'm a lifelong learner at my core and when I  rally my energy around self-awareness and curiosity, I inevitably learn something in the process.

And although I am a non-degreed professional who is building an amazing life for herself through self-learning and via the wisdom of others, I take no issue with pursuits of formal education. I will add that a college degree will never eclipse the intrinsic benefits of learning ‘on the fly’ through lived experiences. The core to it all is the willingness to learn.

Whether that is to learn how to play the oboe, speak Spanish, or be a better listener, learning is part of this road trip. Each new nugget of knowledge gained through the lessons learned helps better clarify your driving directions so you are more likely going in your right direction.

I suppose it is a lofty goal to be fully actualized humans, so the journey is what it is all about. To take step by step, even when things are uncertain, igniting your curiosity will hopefully motivate you to learn about an idea that may have never come to mind before that moment.

I think the funnest efforts are the most baffling of things to figure out. This doesn't include assembling Ikea furniture - I know that is NOT in my zone of genius - I'm more of a people person. Learning about how I can be the best version of a human in this world really is my jam. I feel compelled to add this disclaimer: becoming the best version of yourself must never be confused with perfection.

Learning includes making mistakes. We simply do not know everything because it isn't humanly possible to do so. You can have fun with those buggers by coming up with another word for them. Words like lessons, experiments, or whoopsie doodles (this one is one of my favorites).

The opportunities are endless and with it comes endless wonder and discovery. I see the moment of discovery as the spark that leads to learning. Discovery and curiosity are definitely copilots on this road trip called Life.

I admit life lessons of the painful kind are my least favorite but with those circumstances that are inevitable once I have put a little distance between my freak out from the event I often pause to lean into learning something about that circumstance. We grow from these experiences. This kind of learning often helps me keep focused when I am traveling on the proverbial unknown roads of life..

I want to spend more time on the concept of love of learning around exploring it through experiences. Don't you just love it when you discover a podcast with topics that resonate with you because it is exactly what you're seeking to learn? The Beloved Universe is fantastic in that way. I love the saying that the teacher arrives when the student is ready and the frequency of such events like that in my life are too numerous to count. What a moment it is when it happens!

There are all kinds of learning: intellectual, academic, book, and emotional intelligence. I find a nice place to start is to ask yourself why do I want to learn about XYZ? This sets the tone of motivation to take the next steps and figuring out the how of it all.

Wisdom is a magical side of learning. It is with a certain element of compassion, certainly, humbling, too. I believe we become wise through a series of lessons and it takes a lifetime to get to that level of knowledge. I also think wisdom is meant to be shared with others, a time for you to serve in the teacher’s role.

I encourage you, dear reader, to embark on a lifelong learning journey. It will definitely embellish your adventures with precious experiences and create opportunities to connect with others in the quest to never stop learning. It is with our desire to learn that we change our lives and most likely, the lives of others.

You may want to structure some learning time to ensure you make the time. Combine it with open-hearted, open-minded moments as you live your moments. Perhaps at the end of the day, write about the lessons of the day in your gratitude journal because writing things down on paper helps us retain things. There is science around living the event, remembering the event, and reflecting on the event that makes it ten times more powerful.

Learning can provide you with joy and possibly, a new trajectory in living your best life! 

RESOURCE LINKS

• Book: 30 Lessons for the Living
• Podcast: Mel Robbins and Dr. Karl Pillemer
• The Ride | Discovery