Love of Learning

Read a great article lately about love of learning reminds me of my patriarchal blessing given long ago in 1960 that encouraged me to learn all things so I can develop to my potential...that's quite a challenge considering I was graduating then from college. Life has many things to teach us and they aren't all learned in the classroom. How to learn from each experience whether negative or positive is important.

I like to ask questions that helps me learn new things. I love teachers who are enthusiastic about their topics be it computers, photography, rock art or theology. You're never too old to learn new things or to teach others. My son Daniel who started me with computers chuckles when I tell him I've teaching others all I know.

There is no limit to what we can still learn at any age or with any limitations be they: physical, spiritual, social, intellectual or emotional. All that stops us is our lack of curiousity, wanting to learn more about this world. You can teach old dogs new tricks IF they want to learn and make the effort.

Some things I am studying now are: POETRY how to rhyme and use rhythm to make words more interesting for children and others; DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY-taking photos and editing them, then using them to write about; DIETING-becoming a healthier me through exercise and food choices; RELATIONSHIPS- how to connect with family members better; and WRITING-capturing the past in words, celebrating life through blogging and making new friends.

I still want to TRAVEL more, see new sights and meet new people. HOW ABOUT YOU?

Article #88 Finding a Career

During my years of growing up, I would find that my career choices would evolve as new interests developed. As a young child, I wanted to be a movie star or a telephone operator, but in high school that all changed. I loved math and science classes and excelled in my studies, so it was only natural when the call came for more American engineers after the Russian spudnik satellite developments that started the space race and the cold war, that I would consider going to college to study engineering. I don’t think I even knew what an engineer was, but my high school teachers encouraged me to become one. (Photo of me as an A&W carhop-a short lived career but a cute uniform.)

Unfortunately, my junior college teachers in 1958 weren’t as supportive as my high school instructors had been. I still remember a Physics 101 professor, on the first day of my college class, writing on the blackboards around the room the simple equation E=MC2. Then he proceeded to say: Even the girls in this class can understand this simple equation. Whether he was trying to be funny or not I never determined, but it made the three girls in my class of 35 physics students feel uneasy. Today it would be called sexual harassment. As I pursued my new engineering major, I found that college classes in math and science were much more competitive than in high school. I was discouraged to only earn a B or C grade after earning almost straight A’s in high school. After one semester in college, I was ready to look for a different career.

Taking ballet lessons had been a hobby I started in high school and loved. During junior college, I performed in many musical productions as well as in community theatre. Then came the opportunity to dance professionally and join a dancer’s union as a member of the Los Angeles City Ballet Company. Wow, this was almost like being a movie star, a career choice of mine earlier. The only problem was the entertainment world had different morals that I had. Being a very naïve young girl when I left high school, and feeling uncomfortable with theatre people, I left my ballet company. Determined to continue my college studies as a dance major at BYU, and become a professional dance teacher, I thought maybe I’d get married along the way. (Photo of me at Jr. College graduation in California.)

SPLAT!

So I'm out for a little walk, on my way back from the mailbox.

The wind is blowing and it's a little chilly, so I speedup my steps.
Suddenly...SPLAT, I'm face down on the very hard cement sidewalk,
having made a 5 point landing on 2 knees, 2 hands and my chin.

Pain comes quickly as I wait expectantly for what I don't know.
Maybe some kind person to come help me up from my fall?
No one appears, I'm relieved that no one saw this happen.
Wiping my nose to see if it's bleeding, relief comes quickly.
Good, maybe no broken nose or black eyes will result.


Then I check out my wrists-they hurt badly, years ago

I fell while walking near dusk and broke my right thumb.
I can still move my thumbs but they hurt and my knees?
They are skinned under my jeans but luckily not bleeding.

Nothing to do out here alone on the sidewalk face down
but try to get up without the help of my hands that hurt and
my knees that barely bend. I do make it back up to vertical.
Never to be taken for granted again, walking can be dangerous.

(Especially when the sidewalk is uneven from tree roots growing.)