Be an Avid Learner

Listening to the Jim Rohn audio, The Art of Exceptional Living, I was once again inspired to embrace the adventure of learning. Jim challenges his audience to learn something new every day, to engage life and to be interested in all that is around us.  Be inquisitive.  Learn from people with different experiences, different perspectives, different expertise.

I am a bit of a book addict and love to browse second hand bookstores or visit the library.  Whether it is reading a few pages of a book on gardening or the wisdom of St. Theresa the Little Flower, or listening to personal development or healthy living CDs in my car, there is always something new to be learned.

The most interesting people I know are those who are excited about life, about learning and who have insights to share in most any conversation.  They engage in living fully and appreciate the variety and richness of life.

My grandfather Bacon was one of these people.  He loved to read about history, gardening, business,
politics, and more. He found people to be fascinating and could strike up a conversation anywhere. He had stacks of National Geographic magazines and Wall Street Journals in his apartment. He loved to watch documentaries and nature programs. His appetite for learning always impressed me.

I believe I received this love of learning from my grandfather and have hopefully passed it on to my own children.  My oldest son studied history, theology and Spanish in college, and would take 18 credits each semester in college because he could not pass up a class on something that interested him. He has not been afraid to learn new skills such as photography, web design, and gardening and he is always eager to add to his library and loves to read.

Did you know that only 3% of the population has a library card?  Did you also know that there seems to be a direct correlation between vocabulary development and behavior problems (and later criminal activity). The more limited the vocabulary, the greater the incidence of poor behavior choices.

Our lives are so busy that it might seem like a chore to add a chapter of a book or 30 minutes of an audio presentation to the day. Yet we often spend an hour or more watching TV shows, the news or a sitcom.  I believe that the valuable ideas and inspirations gained from reading or listening to inspirational talks would be well worth the time invested.  Reading to our children is a great practice as well and helps to germinate a love of learning.  Maybe turning off the TV to encourage thought, reflection and new ideas would be a valuable trade.  Why not give it a try, if you aren't already, and let me know how it works for you.