Learning (Blog #2)

I view learning as a life long process and am a true believer of the phrase, “ you learn something new everyday.” I’ve always loved learning, whether that be through school or through participation in unfamiliar activities. Many people associate learning with school and that’s valid, but the best kind of learning comes through experiences and mistakes. I know that the most valuable knowledge that I have acquired has been the result of my mistakes. I used to be terrified of making mistakes, still kind of am, but I’m slowly realizing that being perfect (ugh I hate that word) isn’t realistic. Everyone has faults and thus make wrong decisions every once in a while. The extraordinary people are those that can accept that they are wrong, an incredibly brave thing to do, and transform their mistakes into knowledge and progress from there.

           Learning and experiencing new things isn’t as scary as it seems, if you keep an open mind and go with the flow. I know it’s scary to leave that comfort zone, but if you bring yourself to allow knowledge to come from the experience, then in the end it will be rewarding. Either way you’ll gain some sort of understanding. I’ve met plenty of people who are closed off to new ideas and concepts. As a society, I believe that we would be more understanding of the differences between each other if we were more willing to change perspectives and put ourselves in the other person’s shoes. I hate that we’re so quick to judge.

            I guess what I’m trying to say, is that what matters the most is your frame of mind when it comes to learning and the wisdom you gain from learning. If you enter an experience with the intent to learn, have an open mind, and don’t take the opportunity for granted then you have the potential to gain valuable insight that can benefit you in the future, if you allow it to.

This is a link to a Ted Talk about learning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsYHqfk0X2A