It’s no secret that my husband and I would have remained college students forever if we could have. We love learning. We love living in an environment of ideas. So as I take my youngest to his college registration/orientation today, I feel a bit jealous. Just reading some of his class titles for the Great Texts program fills me with envy. (I feel it more so with this child because the other two are studying things that don’t interest me in the least: math and science!) All those hours in the classroom studying interesting topics, listening to discussions (I rarely participate!), reading new material. It seems that the older I get, the more I want to know and understand.
Of course, my life is not void of learning. I think it’s one of the reasons I’ve so loved writing conferences. All those great classes learning about writing. Since a conference doesn’t seem to be in my future for this year, I took an online writing class in May (Margie Lawson’s classes are wonderful!). It doesn’t much matter how the learning happens–online, in person, through a book–or what is being learned–whether about new places, professions or cultural tidbits for my novels, or history or literature or writing in general–when I learn, I feel alive. When I learn, it renews my passion to write, to pass on some of what has become a part of me.
It’s also why I love Bible study. Learning more about God, about myself, about the world that we live in. For me, faith is not about leaving my mind behind. It is about learning and doing and being, just as I learn and do and be in the world that God created for me to live in.
Over these next two days, I’ll lap up the college atmosphere, but I’ll use it to remind me that even if we never return to a life of academia, I will not stop learning. It’s who I am. It’s how God made me.
So I’d love to know: What are your favorite avenues of learning outside of school? What do you like to learn about? Your answers might inspire us all to learn in new directions!
I too love to learn new things! I think online learning is excellent because you still get recognition when you complete it. I love to learn history, it’s so fasinating, that’s why I’m always researching about certain time periods: the clothing, the etiquette and even the furniture style! Too bad not many people understand my fascination with history.
I completely understand, Shirley! I love history! And I really enjoy online classes, too. It makes it easier to learn around my quirky schedule!
Hope you have a wonderful time at the college! I had a blast in college and like you, probably would’ve loved for it to last forever…of course, that’s probably because of the pretty carefree lifestyle I lived then. I mean, having a caf (that’s what we called it) with food whenever I wanted it…awesome. Living with some of my best girlfriends, so fun. STUDYING ABROAD!! One of the best seasons of my life.
But yes, I do enjoy learning. I love the things I learn at writing retreats and conferences. Two people who I adore learning from–Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck. They are such amazing teachers.
And yes, Bible study too. I’ll never be all “learned up” about God. There will always be more to discover. And that makes faith pretty cool.
Yes, Susie and Rachel are awesome teachers! I’ve loved the conference sessions I’ve had with them. And I’m so glad I can’t really ever learn all there is to know about God. Makes me remember that He is so much bigger than my mind can comprehend!